Minnesota United has Major League Soccer’s lowest point total in road games this season, and the Loons will play six of their next seven matches away from TCF Bank Stadium.

But riding a three-game winning streak — all at home, setting the best stretch in their MLS tenure — there is optimism as Minnesota (9-11-1) travels to Canada to play the Vancouver Whitecaps (7-9-5) at 9 p.m. Saturday at BC Place.

The Loons, who have made themselves relevant in the MLS Cup playoff picture with 13 games left, feel that what they’re building in Minnesota will play well on the road.

With MLS teams earning three points for a win and one for a tie, United sporting director Manny Lagos said this week he would like to see the Loons rack up at least 10-12 points over their next seven games.

“Ten is a nice number. I think that is a nice barometer for us to have,” Lagos said. “But I think the way we’re playing, we can go well beyond that if we really embrace the last few weeks.”

To meet Lagos’ baseline, the Loons will need to average 1.42 points per game through mid-September, which would exceed the 1.33 points they’ve averaged in 21 games this season, 12 at home, nine away. On the road, the Loons are averaging only 0.33 points a game with a 1-8 record.

They beat coach Adrian Heath’s former team, Orlando City on March 10 and have lost the other eight.

Heath said Wednesday he’s wearing blinders, looking only at the Whitecaps and the following, lone home game in this stretch, against Seattle on Aug. 4. The Loons coach made it clear that road status quo won’t be tolerated.

“We are probably going there with a different mind-set than we have in the past,” Heath said. “The players know what’s expected of them. We’ve spoken about it, and if we want to take this season deep into the end of the year, then we have to pick up points on the road. It’s as simple as that.”

After Seattle — a 2017 MLS Cup finalist that struggled at the start of the season but has won five straight in July — it will be even more difficult for the Loons to secure points. United has road games against three of the top four teams in the West standings — Los Angeles Galaxy (fourth), FC Dallas (first) and Sporting Kansas City (third), in that order.

They then travel to Washington to play a D.C. United side that has seen a boost since adding a Designated Player, English attacker Wayne Rooney, in July. Minnesota closes the stretch with an away match against Real Salt Lake, currently holding the West’s sixth and final playoff spot. Salt Lake is averaging more points per home match (2.36) than any other club Minnesota faces in this stretch.

Lagos said a key will be continued improvement on defensive set pieces while maintaining the defensive continuity that has come from a recent shift to the 3-5-2 formation.

“I think the team has embraced more of a defensive mentality, especially in the middle of the field in getting back and organizing,” Lagos said. “That comes and goes with confidence … and goes with getting the right players out there to do well.” Related Articles Loons’ late rally falls short in 2-1 loss to Columbus Crew

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The addition of higher-priced attackers Angelo Rodriguez and Romario Ibarra in the summer transfer window has raised the level of expectations within United’s ownership group and front office. Ibarra debuted off the bench against Los Angeles FC last Sunday, with Rodriguez set to make his first appearance next week against Seattle.

To achieve that success, the Loons will look to the soccer standard of striving for three points at home and one on the road.

“Maybe a little bit more savvy, a little bit more understanding that there’s a difference in playing at home and playing on the road,” Lagos said. “Pushing for wins is great, but also leaving the field with your head held high with a tie (on the road) is not the worst thing in the world.”

FEWEST ROAD POINTS IN MLS THIS SEASON

Minnesota — 3

Salt Lake — 4

Colorado — 5

San Jose — 6

Orlando — 6

Houston — 7

D.C. United — 7

New England — 7

Montreal — 7