When >> 7:55 p.m. today

Where >> Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas

Stream >> FS1, Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

Radio >> KSTP-1500 AM

Weather >> 85 degrees, partly cloudy, 12 mph north wind

Betting line >> MNUFC plus-135; draw plus-25-; Dallas plus-180

Form >> MNUFC (9-4-7, 34 points) have one loss in their last seven MLS matches but gave up a 90th minute goal in a 2-2 draw at Red Bulls on Saturday. Dallas (5-8-6, 21 points) has one win in their last nine MLS matches since the start of May and gave up a 96th minute goal in a 3-2 loss to first-place San Diego last weekend.

Recent matchup >> A scoreless draw in St. Paul in April came with FCD leading scorer Petar Masa out with an ankle injury and the Loons combo of Kelvin Yeboah and Tani Oluwaseyi combining for 0.5 expected goals. Luciano Acosta, the 2023 MLS MVP, was a second half sub.

Stat >> Dallas has collected only five of a possible 27 points at Toyota Stadium, which has sections of prime seats covered in tarps during a $182 million renovation.

Quote >> Loons head coach Eric Ramsay has pushed back a little on the perception that his team is hindered by its league-low possession (38%). But after RBNY match, he pointed to not being able to keep the ball as a reason why they had to defend for long stretches of the second half and conceded a late goal.

“I would much rather spend the final 20 minutes in their half, but that unfortunately it isn’t a huge strength of ours at the moment,” Ramsay told reporters on Saturday. “… We let ourselves down in the moments where we turned the ball over too cheaply and weren’t able to counter attack, either with more precision or more patience. It’s that side of the game that needs to improve.”

Context >> The return of forward Tani Oluwaseyi, whose hold-up play has improved, will help MNUFC keep the ball a bit more. He and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair are back from international duty with Canada. So is Carlos Harvey (Panama). All three are available to play Friday.

Storyline >> Ramsay said the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal against Chicago on Tuesday will have no bearing on how he approaches Friday’s game. The Loons are focused on the chance to win a trophy in the national tournament, but feel like the timeline will allow them to go full throttle in league action in Texas. Chicago, meanwhile, plays in MLS on Saturday and will have one less day to prepare for the cup match in St. Paul next week.

Look-ahead >> MNUFC Under-16 academy forward Tim Dennis will play in the MLS Next All-Star Game in Austin, Texas, on July 21. The Brooklyn Park teen joined the Loons’ academy in summer of 2021 and was invited to a U.S. youth national team talent ID camp in 2023. He is the fourth United product chosen to play in the youth ASG showcase since it started in 2022.

Absences >> Wessel Speel (shoulder) is out 2-3 weeks after his collision in Red Bulls match, Ramsay said. Joseph Rosales (international duty) is also out. Morris Duggan (back) is questionable. Darius Randell is with MNUFC2. Dallas has been without top forward Anderson Julio (lower leg) and top defender Osage Urhoghide (upper leg). Both have played more than 1,000 minutes this season.

Projected starting XI >> In a 5-4-1 formation, FW Kelvin Yeboah; MF Joaquin Pereyra, MF Robin Lod, MF Owen Gene, MF Wil Trapp; LWB Anthony Markanich, CB Niko Romero, CB Michael Boxall, CB Jefferson Diaz, RWB Julian Gressel; GK Dayne St. Clair.

Scouting report >> Dallas has averaged three goals allowed in its past three matches, while Minnesota has averaged 2.5 scored over its last four. There should be more fireworks on July 4.

Prediction >> Every single time MNUFC has tied a game this season, it ends in a draw. That oddity will stop Friday in an easier place to play. Loons win 2-1.

— Andy Greder