Following the international break Minnesota United are back in MLS action and hoping to turn the corner after a rough few outings. Losses to Nashville and Vancouver followed by a draw with Seattle has the Loons on a three match winless skid. While there is still a lot of football to be played this season, MNUFC hopes to right the ship tonight in Carson, CA. 1-2-2 (W-D-L) in their last five matches, the Loons defensive form has dropped off since the loss of Michael Boxall due to injury. Though Morris Duggan has done fairly well in picking up Boxy's centre-back role and running the defence.
"He [João Klauss] is one of several we have to shut down it's them as a team. But he is a really good focal point for them," manager Cameron Knowles said on Friday. " He has a lot of quality and [Gabriel] Pec obviously [too], the pace they have and moments in transition. They are a very a good team."
Offensively Minnesota has struggled out of the gate, scoring an average of less than 1 goal per match through the opening five contests of the season. Minnesota United's top scorer is Kelvin Yeboah with just two goals and only two other players, Nectarios Triantis and Morris Duggan, have scored for MNUFC in 2026. With the injuries and illness experienced by the club this week, the expectation is some moderate to heavy rotation. Owen Gene was a player explicitly mentioned by Cameron Knowles on Friday as someone who could step in with players missing. You can check out Knowles full pre-match comments in yesterday's Training Tidbits update.
While the Galaxy are missing Joseph Paintsil, who has been a key contributor for the club they picked up a number of players over the winter break, most notably João Klauss from St. Louis. Klauss is the leading scorer for the Galaxy this season, but notably was shut down by the Loons last season. He only scored one goal in the three matches the two sides faced each other, that goal coming in the Open Cup. LA's middling attack and defence, ranked 15th and 16th in the league, will hope to have no problems tonight against Minnesota's 24th ranked defence and 28th ranked offence.
News & Notes
- Michael Boxall and Peter Stroud remain out, they were out doing some short passing at training on Friday indicating they're closer to returning
- Julian Gressel is out until at least after the World Cup break, following fracturing and surgery on his big toe.
- Galaxy are missing midfielder Joseph Paintsil, who has been a key piece for the side since joining in 2024
- Want to watch the Loons in not-LA with fellow supporters tonight? Dark Clouds and Red Loons at Black Hart of St. Paul. Dark Clouds also have a watch party at Beckett's in Minneapolis, while TNE over at Midway Saloon
- This week there IS a March to the Match, meeting at the Loon statue at the corner of Snelling & University at 12:15pm
Availability
LA | Out: Jakob Glesnes (leg), Joseph Paintsil (thigh), Matheus Nascimento (thigh) ; Questionable: None
MIN | Out: Michael Boxall (adductor), Peter Stroud (quad), Julian Gressel (broken toe), James Rodríguez (illness); Questionable: Wil Trapp (illness)
Staff Predictions
- Tim McLaughlin: 2–0 LAG
- Knives Paige: 2–1 LAG
- Ashle Paige: 2–0 Galaxy
- Bridget McDowell: 3–0 LAG
- Seth Steffenhagen: 2–2 draw
- Michael Lake: 2–0 LAG
Guest Prediction
- Tim Abbott, Northland Soccer Non-League Editor: 2–2 draw
