2025 Season Opener: Loons drop points after late LAFC goal

Minnesota United opened their ninth season in Major League Soccer with a trip [back] to sunny Southern California for a clash with Los Angeles FC. The Loons returned to California, where they were based for most of their first preseason under Eric Ramsay. That return ended in an unflattering fashion for MNUFC, falling 1-0 to LAFC at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

After multiple big changes over the off-season, the Loons came out with a Starting XI that didn’t look that unfamiliar. Kelvin Yeboah and Tani Oluwaseyi started up top on a formation that would play as a 5-3-2. New signings Nicolás Romero and Hoyeon Jong were on the bench, while Owen Gene was not in the matchday roster. Last seasons MNUFC2 goalkeeper Alec Smir backed up regular starter Dayne St. Clair and Morris Duggan made his first start for Minnesota United. “The guys next to me and in front of me, they really gave me confidence. The coaches gave me confidence for the whole preseason,” said Duggan. “I really enjoyed it and it was a great atmosphere and great weather; it was just a dream.”

Match 🧵: Match 1/34 #LAvMINFirst Starting XI of 2025 has dropped. Loons start Kelvin and Tani up top with Carlos Harvey, Boxy, and Duggan at the back.Robin Lod, Sang-Bin and new arrivals Nicolás Romero and Hoyeon Jong among those on the bench today.Graphics courtesy of @fotmob.com app

— Northland Soccer Journal (@northlandsoccer.com) 2025-02-22T21:26:51.183Z

The first forty-five minutes saw MNUFC control the pace of the match, getting multiple high quality chances at a goal. Unfortunately for the Loons they were not able to finish and put a shot in goal. Though as the half wore on the Black and Gold started to control the momentum and outshoot MNUFC. The first half ended with a nil-nil scoreline and LAFC with 9 shots with two on target to MNUFC’s 7 shots with none on target.

“I’m frustrated because I felt like it was a game that we were in all the way through and we’ve obviously had a couple of really clear-cut, big chances early on in the game,” said Eric Ramsay.

The second half started where the first half left off, with LA getting some chances but the Minnesota defensive effort continued to look solid. That changed in the 78th minute when Jeremy Ebobisse slotted home the only goal of the afternoon for the hosts.

Steve Cherundolo made a simple but very effective halftime adjustment, and with it came something LAFC had been missing the first three halves of their season: midfield balance.Oh and a banger of a goal from Jeremy Ebobisse.

— Matthew Doyle (@mattdoyle.bsky.social) 2025-02-23T00:20:55.507Z

Eric Ramsay said about the goal“Yeah, It was a very good finish and I wouldn’t put anyone at fault in particular for that, aside from it was one of those moments where we’ve opened up, we’ve tried to counter-press having lost the ball.”

The final twelve minutes saw the Loons take back control of momentum and the match. Yet even with multiple chances, Minnesota was not able to get the equalizer dropping their first match of 2025.

You can see there’s one moment where we lose concentration later in the game, a team like that takes advantage of that,” said Morris Duggan. “We can learn from that, but there were definitely some great things we did defensively and offensively.”

Minnesota United hosts CF Montréal next weekend on 1-March at Allianz Field in St. Paul in the Loons 2025 home opener. Kickoff is set for 7:30 (7:39 pm actual) and can be watched on Apple TV and listened to on 1500 ESPN.