FC Cincinnati makes its first road trip of the 2026 MLS regular season with a matchup against Minnesota United. The Orange and Blue are coming off a hot start with a 13-0 aggregate advancement in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and an MLS opening day 2-0 win over Atlanta United. FCC will look to continue this hot form and continue their impressive road win percentage from a year ago.
Let’s take a look at Minnesota’s squad and see how they shape up in 2026.
Minnesota United FC
Forwards
When talking about the Loons you must start with their star striker Kelvin Yeboah. The Ghanaian forward is in year three with the club. Yeboah came in like a lightning bolt in the summer of 2024 scoring seven goals in nine appearances. But Yeboah and the Loons had a disappointing 2025 campaign barely reaching nine goals through 30 appearances. His pairing forward up top Bongokuhle Hlongwane didn’t fare well either with only three goals in 34 matches in 2025.
Kelvin Yeboah. Photo: courtesy of Minnesota United FC
Midfield
All things considered, the Loons’ midfield isn’t lacking. Julian Gressel brings a winning pedigree to the squad having won three MLS Cups with three different clubs. Next to Gressel will be Joaquín Pereyra and experienced Will Trapp. Trapp has been a dependable starting midfielder for Minnesota since 2021. His small frame and good balance make him a handful to defend if a club is not prepared.
Backline
Michael Boxall is a steady presence for the Loons in the center back position. His stature at 6’ 3” and 210 lbs makes venturing into the box a dicey affair for any attacker. Morris Duggan and Anthony Markanich will get some run on the backline as well. Markanich is the brother of former FCC forward Nicholas Markanich who has now returned to the MLS for Houston Dynamo on loan.
Keeper
One of the most intriguing angles about this club is the addition of Drake Callender, formerly of Inter Miami. Callender suffered an adductor injury while in the USMNT camp early in 2025 that saw him missing all of the 2025 season. He was traded in the summer to Charlotte FC last summer but saw no action. Callender was then traded to Minnesota this winter and has inserted himself into the starting lineup. Callender was a formidable keeper in his time with Inter Miami even with a very underwhelming defensive backline in front of him. He earned the Leagues Cup Best Goalkeeper award in 2023 and received a lot of attention in the eyes of USMNT. His addition to this Loons squad will be interesting.
Drake Callendar collects a save for Inter Miami vs FCC in 2024.
PHOTO: Megan Lee
Manager
Cameron Knowles is the head man in Minnesota after being promoted from assistant coach over the winter. He has worked his way up from a analyst position he first held with the club back in 2021. Knowles has made an intriguing hire in Josh Wolff, former Austin FC head coach, as an assistant on his staff. Knowles has played around with a few formations in the preseason and in their first MLS match. He ran a blend of 3-4-2-1 and 3-5-1-1 in the preseason. This would suggest an area of focus on playing with wingbacks that float up the channels much like FCC. But oddly, the Loons elected for a 4-4-3 in their match against Austin FC.
Opening Weekend Result
Minnesota travelled down the Lone Star State in the opening weekend facing Austin FC. In the first half the match was level with the Loons’ goal from a corner where Pereyra’s left footed delivery found center back Morris Duggan who was able to get a head on it. The Loons played a very foul heavy match ultimately accounting for 16 infractions, but only fell into the book two times. All appeared lost for MUFC down 2-1 in 90th minute when Yeboah swooped into the box and got on the end of a cross for a headed goal. The 2-2 scoreline remained until the final whistle.
FC Cincinnati
Minnesota and Cincinnati have faced each other a total of five times in MLS competition. The first of which was one to forget for the Orange and Blue faithful. An MLS record 7-1 loss in 2019 was arguably the lowest point of the inaugural MLS season for FCC. The most recent matchup came in 2024 in a 2-1 victory for FCC. In total, Minnesota holds the slight win advantage of 3-2 with no draws.
Lucho Acosta attempting a dribble around a Loon defender in 2022. PHOTO: Anders Saling
Matchups
Still dealing with the injury suffered in the opener, FCC’s MVP finalist Evander is questionable for the match. It will be interesting to see if the Orange and Blue can control possession in the midfield in his absence. Kévin Denkey may enjoy a slight advantage against Boxall but the physicality of those two sparring off will be an entertaining matchup. Roman Celentano and Callender will always be locked in a comparison battle as they both continue to receive attention and camp invitations from the USMNT.
Match Info
When: 4:30 pm Saturday, February 28
Where: Allianz Field (St. Paul, MN)
Watch: Apple TV
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