Preview + Reactions: MNUFC to close out Leagues Cup Group Stage

As Minnesota United FC prepares to close out their Phase One run of the 2025 Leagues Cup, we look back on the roller coaster of emotions brought on by the past two matches. And we look ahead to Wednesday’s group stage finale, a return to Allianz Field to face Atlético de San Luis.

Matchday 1 of 3: Querétaro

The Loons’ first match against a struggling Querétaro was everything you would want from a midweek match at home. A 4-1 win with four different goal scorers, goals at each end of the pitch, and plenty of fight from the opponent to keep it interesting.

Fans enjoyed the end-to-end goals and Anthony “Ant” Markanich’s continued production rate at both ends of the pitch.

Hlongwane and Yeboah setup; Markanich and Oluwaseyi shutdown.

— Erik Vorhes (@erikvorhes.bsky.social) 2025-07-31T02:56:20.952Z

A convincing win; pay Anthony Markanich his MONEY!

— Jason Cassady (@jrscassady.bsky.social) 2025-07-31T02:33:46.894Z

The win was so frantic and fun that some fans may actually be buying into the concept of the Leagues Cup???

Annoying tourney, great win, Bongi shines, let's go!!!

— Värsk Antonio (@antonio-spargo.bsky.social) 2025-07-31T02:38:16.453Z

Do I actually like the Leagues Cup now?

— Mike Beckstrand (@beckstrand.bsky.social) 2025-07-31T02:58:15.906Z

Matchday 2 of 3: Club América

How many times can a team blow a lead? Minnesota may be on to a season high* after dropping the lead three times against América.

*Editor’s note: Yes, we will do the math on this. Check back later.

América matched Minnesota’s goals one for one through seven rounds of penalty kicks. One miss by the Loon’s (Romero’s shot in the 8th round) allowed the hosts to level up.

Mike is now less enthused about Leagues Cup — and about the Loons:

This team needs reinforcement. Spend some damned money.

— Mike Beckstrand (@beckstrand.bsky.social) 2025-08-03T03:45:59.575Z

Up a man and goal, Loons still collapse.

— Mark (@markoftheeast.bsky.social) 2025-08-03T03:48:44.995Z

Uh y'all, that might have been the moment. 😩

— MOlson (@molson1987.bsky.social) 2025-08-03T03:49:05.510Z

With one point from the draw (América earned two points for winning the shootout), Minnesota United is on the bubble. They need a win and a high goal differential to advance. The Loons may have missed their go-ahead moment but the club has one more game at home to turn their stats around.

Matchday 3 of 3: Atlético de San Luis

Atlético de San Luis has three points from three matches played in the Apertura, the first of two tournaments that make up the Liga MX season, but have picked up two points in the Leagues Cup. Following a 4-0 loss in Portland on Matchday 1, San Luis rebounded against Real Salt Lake, tying the MLS side 2-2 before taking a 4-1 advantage in penalties. Out of 15 Liga MX teams in the tournament, Atlético de San Luis is in 13th place. On Matchday 3, the Loons will face a club with nothing to lose.

Minnesota sits in a six-way tie for fourth place amongst the MLS clubs in this group stage. A +3 goal differential (7 GF,  4 GA) allows them to float in the upper half of those six clubs. San Luis meanwhile carries a -4 goal differential, a rate that bodes well for an opponent needing a high scoring ratio from the final group stage match.

San Luis striker Joào Pedro ranks 4th in goals scored (tied with 11 other Liga MX players) in the Apertura with two in three appearances. He led the San Luis offense against Real Salt Lake, registering 4 shots with 3 on target and 1 goal scored in the 24th minute. Miguel García scored San Luis’ second goal in the 82nd minute (the go-ahead goal that preceded Braian Ojeda’s 88th minute brace to send the match into a shootout).

Dayne St. Clair will need a little more communication with his backline on Wednesday (i.e. No poor clearance own goals, no unmarked men scoring position) and some help from Bongokuhle Hlongwane in racking up the balance of his Leagues Cup account and the Loons’ goal differential in the process. Kelvin Yeboah adding another direct freekick score to his bag or Markanich connecting on a setpiece certainly wouldn’t hurt either.

Availability

MIN | Out: Hassani Dotson (SEI), Hoyeon Jung (SEI) ; Questionable: None

ASL | Out: Boli (thigh) ; Questionable: None

Staff Predictions

Seth Steffenhagen: 3-1 Loons

Michael Lake: 3-1 Loons

Tim McLaughlin: 3-1 Loons

Bridget McDowell: 3-1 Loons

Ashle Paige: 2-2 draw, Loons in PK’s

MJ: 3-1 Loons