Minnesota took down San Diego in SoCal earlier this year, now they need to do it again in the playoffs

After a two week break for international play, the MLS Cup Playoffs are back and the Loons head to San Diego for the final match of the quarter-finals, with a spot in the Western Conference Final up for grabs. In their two previous meetings the away side has come away victorious both times. San Diego defeated MNUFC, who had Wessel Speel in goal, 4–2 at Allianz Field in June while the Loons dropped San Diego 3–1 in September at Snapdragon Stadium.

“We want to be the best version of ourselves that we have seen over the course of this year. We know full well that the things we have done sort of define our success in terms of defensive organization, in terms of being a real threat on the transition and on set plays,” said MNUFC manager Eric Ramsay. “We have to do that to a really high level if we want to win the game.”

Minnesota United will have to be the best version of themselves we’ve seen this season in order to get past San Diego FC. The Loons have struggled offensively, scoring only 28 goals in open play, this year and have been in an even tougher spot since the departure of Tani Oluwaseyi. Since he departed for La Liga, a Minnesota forward has not scored a single goal, while set piece wizard Anthony Markanich has tied Tani as top goal scorer. Markanich, who has a knack for getting open unmarked, has been a huge key to MNUFC’s scoring success this season and will need to continue that in California. With 24 goals in the league and playoffs this year on set pieces, it puts the Loons as the most dangerous set piece team in the league, something San Diego will need to shut down.

Shutting that down will be easier said than done as Minnesota has tended to sit back and soak up pressure before attacking on the counter and often winning a set piece. That defence has made the Loons the 6th best in MLS, giving up an average of just 1.2 goals per match. While MNUFC has struggled in the past two matches by giving up seven goals to Seattle, the Sounders have long proven to be Minnesota United’s kryptonite. Even with those two rough outings, Dayne St. Clair has continued giving outstanding showings in goal and San Diego has only put one goal past the Canadian international.

“But I think there is a real level of confidence in the group that if we hit a certain point when it comes to our performance, then we will win the game,” Eric Ramsay said ahead of the playoff match. “We have to be better than we have been.”

San Diego will be sure to give Dayne St. Clair and the Loons back line some work to do as they possess the tandem of Anders Dryer and Hirving Lozano. The two players have combined for 32 goals and 27 assists in all competitions this season and are the driving force between one of the leagues top attacking clubs. San Diego’s style also plays well against Minnesota’s as they hold the top possession and passing percentages in MLS. SDFC put four past the Loons in their first meeting this season that saw Wessel Speel take to goal while Dayne was out on international duty.

The visitors also hold one of the top defenses in the league, averaging only 1.20 goals against per match. Starting goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos is out after suffering a fractured cheekbone against Portland Timbers. In his stead will be secondary goalkeeper, 30 year old Pablo Sisniega. Sisniega has made eight appearances for SDFC, earning two clean sheets and allowing nine goals across all competitions, including two against Portland.

News & Notes

Major League Soccer announced that following the 2026 season, the league will transition to a summer to spring format from the longtime spring to fall format

Minnesota United’s 2026 schedule has been unveiled and will be a close preview of what is to come in 2027. The Loons first home match is in late February with their final match being in early November, split up by a six week summer break.

Joseph Rosales is suspended for the MLS Western Conference Semi-Final, due to his red card against Seattle Sounders in the first round.

Vancouver Whitecaps went down to nine men and defeated LAFC in penalties. If the Loons win they will travel to Vancouver next weekend to face the Whitecaps at BC Place.

NYCFC defeated Philadelphia Union, keeping the Loons dreams of hosting the MLS Cup Final alive, should they advance to that point.

Availability

MIN | Out: Joseph Rosales (Suspended), Hoyeon Jung (SEI) ; Questionable: None

SD | Out: CJ Dos Santos (head), Aiden Harangi (lower body), Willy Kumado (lower body), Franco Negri (head), Oscar Verhoeven (lower body); Questionable: None

Staff Predictions

Ashle Paige: 1–1, someone wins in penalties (I continue to maintain my round one prediction)

Michael Lake: 3–1 Loons with 9 minutes of stoppage

Tim McLaughlin: 2–0 San Diego

Seth Steffenhagen: 1–0 Loons

Bridget McDowell: Loading…