This weekend is another do-or-die weekend for Minnesota United. Eleven draws on the season have hurt Minnesota who find themselves four points out of the final playoff spot with two matches to play. By the time the Loons kick off in Los Angeles on Sunday night the club could be eliminated from the playoffs. MNUFC can win out and still miss the 2026 playoffs. Those 11 draws in the previous 32 matches has cost the team heavily. If just five of those draws went Minnesota's way the club could be fighting for a top four spot in the playoffs.
Should LA Galaxy and Seattle win along with Colorado either winning or drawing it's game over for Minnesota before they tough the pitch. All matches important to Minnesota's playoff hopes will finish before the Loons and LAFC even begin warmups at BMO Stadium. All four scenarios that could eliminate the Loons are listed below.
Even though the playoffs are a long shot, the teams focus is on winning both matches regardless. Cameron Knowles, Michael Boxall, and Morris Duggan have all stressed the need to win out and give the supporters a positive end to what has been a rough season. Boxall, who has been with the club since 2017, said this is one of the more tumultuous seasons in the MLS history of the club. Departure of almost the full coaching staff, the sporting director, and key players have hurt the club in and out of the season.
A five match losing streak hurt the clubs chances, but the resilience of the players helped the club rebound. Had it not been for the recent unbeaten run of five matches, Minnesota could be in a much worse spot than they are. But now, in part because of that losing streak, in order to make playoffs the Loons need to win out plus have multiple clubs lose their final two matches. The other option would be the Loons winning out, have at least one club at 44 points or less, and make up the goal difference if another team hits exactly 44 points.
Should MNUFC makes playoffs they cannot earn a place higher than 7th place in the Western Conference. While the chance is small, making the playoffs and getting a bye past the wild card round is still a mathematical possibility.
