Match Recap: Another lead squandered, Loons draw with LA Galaxy

March 23, 2025
|In MLS, MNUFC, MNUFC Match Recaps
|By Ashle Paige
LA Galaxy defender Maya Yoshida (4) marks Minnesota United midfielder Joaquín Pereyra (26) during the match between Minnesota United and the LA Galaxy at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

Minnesota United hosted their second match of 2025 in a rare Saturday afternoon showing in St. Paul. The visitors were all time leading scorer (MLS & NASL) Christian Ramirez and the LA Galaxy. The Loons entered Saturday’s match with a 2-1-1 (W-L-D) record on the campaign while the Galaxy have struggled to start the year with a 0-3-1 record heading into matchday five.

With five players out on international duty, some heavy changes to the Minnesota’s starting eleven were required. Kelvin Yeboah and Sang Bin Jeong started up top replacing Robin Lod and Tani Oluwaseyi, who were both on duty with their national sides. The midfield saw no changes whatsoever, while the back line has Morris Duggan slide into Michael Boxall’s spot at centre-back. Nicolás Romero moved into Duggan’s normal RCB spot, while Jefferson Diaz was in replacing Carlos Harvey. Goalkeeper Alec Smir stepped in for normal starter Dayne St. Clair.

Matchday 5 🧵 | Good afternoon folks, after an unhealthy amount of time it took to get to Allianz I'm ( @northstarashle.bsky.social ) here in St. Paul for #MINvLAQuite a different #MNUFC Starting XI than the past four weeks, as five players as five players are on intl duty for the Loons

— Northland Soccer Journal (@northlandsoccer.com) 2025-03-22T20:20:45.813Z

A frantic opening twenty minutes saw the Loons drop back into their normal defensive style, letting the not from Los Angeles Galaxy hold majority possession. Outside of a 12th minute yellow to Sang Bin, the gameplan worked perfectly. In the 18th minute Kelvin Yeboah scored the opener on a second chance opportunity after a shot from Sang Bin was parried away by John McCarthy.

They're competing for Oscars.Kelvin is here to win.

— Minnesota United FC (@mnufc.com) 2025-03-22T21:06:40.706Z

Unfortunately for the Loons, it took less than 10 minutes for the visitors to equalize. Former Loon Christian Ramirez headed in a short floating cross from right back Miki Yamane for his 26th minute goal.

 

In what can only be described as the worst moment of the afternoon, Hassani Dotson went down awkwardly on his knee in the 39th minute. After lying on the pitch for an extended period of time he would leave the playing field with assistance from trainers. Regarding the injury, head coach Eric Ramsey stated, “I don’t think it’s looking great, obviously, until we have that scanned and confirmed, then we hold out all the hope in the world for him. We’ll revisit that one on Monday.”

In the first opportunity for substitution’s Owen Gene came on to replace Dotson, getting his first extended playing time since joining Minnesota ahead of this season.

After a back and forth second half that saw the Loons come very close to a second goal multiple times, it would ultimately be a goal from the spot putting MNUFC up late. After a VAR review a handball inside the box was called on the Galaxy, awarding Minnesota with a late penalty. Eric Ramsey’s side sent Kelvin Yeboah to spot, where he sent McCarthy to the complete opposite direction to put Minnesota United up 2–1 with three minutes plus stoppage to go.

Just three minutes later the Galaxy from Carson spoiled the party in Minnesota. Carlos Garces scored from twelve yards out off a set piece to once again level the match.

After seven minutes of stoppage the whistle blew with the scoreline reading 2–2 and the Loons once again letting a lead go and leaving with just one point. “When you concede a goal in the 90th minute, it always feels like that, but we can be proud for our performance, and we just have to work on the little details now and hopefully this will help in the future,” said Kelvin Yeboah.

The Loons will be at home once again next week, hosting Real Salt Lake on Saturday night. Kickoff is set for the usual 7:30pm start time and will be shown on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Christian Ramirez Eric Ramsay Kelvin Yeboah LA Galaxy MLS MNUFC