PREVIEW >> MINNESOTA UNITED vs. AUSTIN FC

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Allianz Field Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV Radio: KSTP-AM, 1500 Weather: Partly cloudy, 65 degrees, 4 mph south wind Betting line >> MNUFC minus-130; draw plus-280; Austin plus-333

Form >> Minnesota (7-3-4, 25 points) climbed into second place in the West with a 3-0 win over floundering St. Louis City last weekend. Austin (5-6-3, 18 points) extended its winless lull to three with a scoreless draw against Vancouver.

Recent matchups >> United beat Austin 3-0 three weeks ago with Anthony Markanich and Joaquin Pereyra scoring for the Loons. Minnesota had to weather heavy pressure at the start of that match in Texas, with forward Osman Bukari having two quality chances. The two clubs are 5-5-0 head-to-head since 2021.

Context >> Both clubs have good vibes after making the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup midweek. Minnesota beat St. Louis; Austin topped Houston. If they win again, Loons vs. Chicago and Verde vs. San Jose, the two sides could meet again in the semifinals of the national tournament.

Quote >> Loons striker Kelvin Yeboah felt “good” after scoring his first goal across more than 550 minutes played in eight injury-interrupted matches in the 3-2 Open Cup win Wednesday.

“After the injuries, it has been quite difficult, physically, to come back in top shape. But thanks to the guys, they have been winning and contributing to make my life even easier,” Yeboah said Wednesday.

Update >> With last week’s shutout of St. Louis, goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair was credited with his seventh clean sheet of the season. He has the MLS lead with Austin’s Brad Stuver and five others one behind.

Absences >> Joseph Rosales is eligible after serving a three-game suspension. Kipp Keller (hamstring) and Sam Shashoua (unknown) is out.

Stats >> Austin is 29th in the 30-team league with only nine goals scored this season. That is 20 behind top-scoring San Jose and 13 behind the Loons’ 22.

Scouting report >> Brandon Vazquez, the only Austin player with multiple goals, is the primary man to stop. He has four on the season but is well below his 7.5 expected goals through 13 games. He and Bukari did score in the Open Cup win over Houston on Wednesday.

“We know they are good players, so you have to treat them with that respect,” St. Clair said Friday. “Even if they are not in time, for strikers it takes a split second to get that rolling again.”

Prediction >> The Loons defense has allowed the third-fewest goals in MLS play this season — coupled with Austin’s struggles in front of net — it looks like more of the same. MNUFC, 2-0.

— Andy Greder