(Photo credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-Imagn Images)

After losing just once in their previous seven MLS matches, Minnesota United will play host to Austin FC at Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday.

Minnesota United (6-3-2, 20 points) are in the midst of a 5-1-1 stretch since March 22, with their only blemish a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC on April 25. The success has come despite limited involvement from midfielder James Rodriguez.

Colombia's national team captain is signed with the Loons through June 30, ahead of the upcoming World Cup, and has an option through December. But he has zero goal involvements in just four appearances and 103 minutes.

'We've had a couple different unforeseen circumstances that have made him unavailable for selection, and then there's obviously the team performance,' Minnesota coach Cameron Knowles told SiriusXM on Friday. 'It's difficult to change a winning team, and we've been really consistent with the lineup selection and leaned on a smaller group of guys for some heavy minutes.'

Austin FC (3-4-4, 13 points) have won their last two matches following an 0-5-3 stretch across all competitions. The road has not been kind to the Verde, who are 0-3-2 away from home this season.

'I think we're in a moment where we've played good away games, but we haven't gotten the win yet, and I think we have to have a complete performance against (Minnesota) in order (to) get a good result,' Austin coach Nico Estevez said.

Austin welcomed back striker Brandon Vazquez during last week's 2-0 win over St. Louis City, marking his first action since an ACL tear on July 8, 2025.

'When a player has been a long time recovering from an injury like Brandon, (given) his personality as a player inside the locker room and how loved he is, it's always going to create a positive impact,' Estevez said.

Austin will be without Jayden Nelson (inflammation) on Sunday. Robert Taylor (knee) is day-to-day and will be reevaluated ahead of Sunday's contest after missing Austin's last three matches.

Kelvin Yeboah scored a brace for Minnesota in a come-from-behind 3-2 road win against the Columbus Crew last weekend, bringing his team-high goal total to seven. Myrto Uzuni leads Austin with four goals.

Austin's last road win in MLS play came on Sept. 7, 2025 against Sporting Kansas City, although they did earn a 2-1 victory at Minnesota in U.S. Open Cup play 10 days later.

--Field Level Media