Orlando City SC vs Minnesota United Prediction & Betting Tips - Major League Soccer

Prediction published on 04/08/2020, 03:20  by James | Modified on 04/08/2020 at 04:20 in Football Predictions

Orlando City take on Minnesota United in the semi-finals of the MLS is Back tournament on Friday night. The winner of this competition qualifies for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League. Orlando City made it to this stage after beating Los Angeles FC on penalties in the quarter-finals. A last-minute Joao Moutinho goal ensured that the game finished 1-1 and went to spot-kicks. In the Round of 16, they knocked out a Montreal Impact side coached by Thierry Henry, the result being a narrow 1-0 win courtesy of a goal by Tesho Akindele. Their top scorer in this competition, Chris Mueller, with three, has yet to find the back of the net in the knockout stages but his goals ensured their comfortable passage out of the group. Minnesota picked up the most eye-catching win of the quarter-finals, blowing the San Jose Earthquakes away with a 4-1 win. It followed on from a Round of 16 penalty shoot-out victory over Columbus Crew after a 1-1 draw in normal time. Four different scorers got in on the act in the last round and that's been the story of Minnesota's tournament, goals coming from a variety of players. Their attacks start from the back with defenders always keen to spot the clever runs of attackers. Two of their defenders, Metanire and Aja, have two assists apiece. 

Orlando didn't have a good 2019, finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference. This tournament has swayed doubters that they can compete at a much higher level than they previously had. Confidence continues to grow in Minnesota. They finished fourth in the Western Conference in 2019, the highest finish in their three-year history, and could follow it up by winning the MLS is Back tournament. Coming into this game, they will be encouraged by the fact that they have never lost against Orlando, winning two of their three meetings. We don't see that changing in this match. Back Minnesota to win this semi-final.