Match Recap: Loons drop home match to LAFC

Minnesota United closed out a home-stand by debuting their new blue and orange heritage kit on Wednesday night, when they hosted LAFC for their second and final showdown of the 2025 season . The Black and Gold dominated offensively on the evening and defensively did well to stop the Loons. Ultimately it came down to a 42nd minute penalty kick from Dénis Bouanga, after a foul from Nicolás Romero inside the box handed LAFC a spot kick.

Coming off a huge win over San Jose, Eric Ramsay made only two changes to his starting eleven. Both changes made were on the back line as Carlos Harvey in for Jefferson Díaz and Bongokuhle Hlongwane in for Julian Gressel. LA surprised the Loons by going with a fluid back 5, rather than their typical 4-3-3 formation.

“It’s kind of funny getting a taste of your own medicine a little bit. I think the way we look at things, we can definitely still be better on the ball. That’s something that we need to improve on,” said forward Tani Oluwaseyi.

Los Angeles shut down the Loons in the opening half of football. While Minnesota managed four shots in the opening half, they were limited to just 0.16 xG in the opening forty-five minutes.

“I felt like in, certainly the first half, that was the case. We were really disappointed with how we were in general. I think, lacking real precision,” manager Eric Ramsay said. “I think we strayed from structure very quickly and found ourselves very frustrated with the nature and the flow of that first half.

Just under 40 minutes in, Nicolás Romero fouled LA centre-forward Jeremy Eboisse inside the box, on what some called a “soft foul”. After VAR confirmation, Dénis Bouanga headed to the spot and sent the shot past Dayne St. Clair to put LAFC up 1-0.

“It’s one where it’s probably, after seeing it back, a foul. [Referee] Pierre[-Luc Lauziere] was pretty convinced that it was, so you defer to his judgement there,” said midfielder Wil Trapp. “But it’s just one of those plays where it’s unfortunate because, by and large, they weren’t doing a whole lot.”

The second half was similar to the first half as LAFC’s defence remained strong, not allowing Minnesota a real chance to score. Dénis Bouanga had two chances late in the match, his best coming in the 87th, when he nearly chipped goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. The shot ultimately went wide and in the 90th, St. Clair made a spectacular save on another Bouanga breakout, to keep the match to it’s 1-0 final.

Fan Recations

Bad refs, but good LA defense setup. Nada. #mnufc #minvlafc

— James Marusak (@hpbear149den.bsky.social) 2025-07-17T02:53:01.760Z

Loons allergic reaction to possession costs points again

— PA Loon (he/him) (@loonsylvania.bsky.social) 2025-07-17T02:45:13.475Z

— Moth (@walkingminnesota.com) 2025-07-17T04:35:24.722Z

Next Match Up:

Minnesota United travels to the Pacific Northwest for the first match against Portland Timbers of the 2025 season. The Loons have the edge in the series all time, having won 10 and drawn 2 of the 17 matches played. Kickoff is listed for 9:30pm CT and will kickoff at appx 9:39pm and can be seen on Apple TV or heard on SKOR North.