By Aaron Cheris

Who

New York Cosmos (5-3-0, 18 points) vs. Minnesota United FC (3-3-1, 12 points)

When & Where

Saturday, May 30 at 8 p.m. ET

NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minnesota

Watch

• ONE World Sports
• ESPN3
• Follow @NYCosmos_Match and #MNUvNYC on Twitter for live updates
• Official Viewing Party at The Football Factory

The Stakes

New York Cosmos

Last Saturday the Cosmos beat the defending NASL postseason champions, the San Antonio Scorpions, 3-0 at Shuart Stadium to remain the only undefeated team in the NASL. Through eight games, the Cosmos have five wins and three draws for a league-best 18 points. On the road this season New York is 1-3-0 (WDL).

On Wednesday New York earned a 3-0 win over Jersey Express in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. Leo Fernandes and Sebastián Guenzatti scored in the first half, and Mads Stokkelien converted a late penalty kick to seal the victory for the Cosmos. That result means the Cosmos will host New York City FC in the fourth round on June 17 at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile in the NASL, the Cosmos can lock up a spring title Saturday by grabbing all three points at NSC Stadium coupled with a Rowdies loss or draw in Indianapolis vs. Indy Eleven. Soon after this match the Cosmos will travel to Cuba for a friendly against the Cuban National Team in Havana.

Minnesota United FC

In their last NASL game, Minnesota United FC defeated Jacksonville Armada 3-2 in front of a sellout crowd at NSC Stadium. Tiago Calvano, Miguel Ibarra and Pablo Campos scored in the second half to give United the win.

On Wednesday United fell in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup to Saint Louis FC in penalty kicks. J.C. Banks gave United the lead in the second half, but it was not enough as Saint Louis tied the game late and eventually won on penalties.

Minnesota United sits in the second position of the NASL standings with 12 points, six behind the Cosmos with one fewer game played. United needs at least a draw on Saturday night to stay in contention for the spring title.

Matchup History

The Cosmos have never lost to Minnesota United FC. In five previous matchups, New York has earned three wins and two draws. The most recent matchup was a scoreless draw on October 18, 2014 at NSC Stadium.

In three contests in 2014, the Cosmos won one before drawing twice. Neither team has scored more than one goal in any of the five meetings between the teams.

Notes

Defense standing tall

The Cosmos have allowed just five goals this year in league play, the lowest total in the NASL. Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer’s 21 saves lead the NASL. Maurer made three saves in last Saturday’s win over San Antonio to earn his fifth clean sheet of the season.

Balanced attack

Seven Cosmos have scored this season. Raúl and Leo Fernandes each have three goals to lead the team. The Cosmos’ 13 goals this season trail only FC Edmonton’s 15, and New York’s 62 shots are most in the NASL. Over their last three league games the Cosmos have scored nine goals, and they’ve scored 12 in their last four after a 3-0 U.S. Open Cup win over Jersey Express on May 27.

Quotes

"Right now we're focusing on Minnesota and trying to get three points. We are going to keep doing what we've been doing on the field. We will continue going forward the same way, treating each game with the attention it deserves."

-Giovanni Savarese