While much of Minnesota United's post-season hopes are out of their hands, the club does head into Sunday night still alive in the playoff race. Another win is needed to keep the Loons in the hunt and anything but that means the season ends next week. It will not be an easy task for Minnesota to get three points at BMO Stadium, where they have earned just four points in seven matches there. Los Angeles FC have already clinched their spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs, but LAFC has a top four seed on their mind. In order to guarantee a top four spot, the black and gold also need to win their last two matches.
Minnesota will head into Los Angeles without central midfielder Wil Trapp available due to concussion protocol. Trapp suffered a potential concussion a few weeks ago near the end of the training session and as of now Cameron Knowles does not have a specific timeframe for his return. While Trapp has been a key piece in the Loons midfielder for years the club has pulled in some young talent at the position. Nectarios Triantis and Owen Gene have both found their stride in the midfield as the season has gone on. The Loons central midfield doesn't have the depth their defence or wings do, but does have a small solid core that have played together for much of the season.
Though the biggest key for the Loons in Los Angeles will be continuing to score goals. Minnesota has only scored a total of five goals in BMO Stadium since LAFC joined the league. If new MLS-era record holder Kelvin Yeboah is able to strike the goal or Anthony Markanich is able to get on the scoresheet, MNUFC could make it a long night for Los Angeles FC. In order to do that Minnesota United will have to break down LAFC's stellar defence, that has allowed barely over one goal per match.
Defensively for Minnesota they will need to shut down both Denis Bouanga and Heung-Min Son to have a chance at three points. The pair have combined for 25 of LA's 50 goals and 17 assists this season. Bouanga has scored 18 goals on an expected goals (xG) of only 14.6, outperforming his statistical expectations by just under 3.5 goals this season. Defensively LA have been led by Ryan Porteous, Yevhen Cheberyachko, and Nkosi Tafari. Cheberyachko is questionable for the match while another key defensive piece Timothy Tillman is out for today's match. With 13 clean sheets this season, LA have won over a third of matches without giving up a goal and the Loons will have their work cut out for them to score and take three points into Decision Day.
News & Notes
MNUFC are 3-5-7 (W-D-L) all time against Los Angeles FC. However they Loons are just 1-1-5 when playing facing LAFC at BMO Stadium.
Peter Stroud and Alec Smir are both off the injury report and are once again available for selection. To this point Stroud's only appearance for the Loons came back in July against Vancouver Whitecaps.
Morris Duggan spoke to Twin Cities media on Friday afternoon, you can watch the full video below.
Want to watch tonight's match with other supporters, there are plenty of options. Dark Clouds will have a watch party at Beckett's in Minneapolis as well as one at Black Hart of Saint Paul with Red Loons. TNE will have a watch party at Killen’s Irish Pub in Minneapolis.
TV time is set for 7:30pm this evening with kickoff happening at approximately 7:39pm. You can watch the match on Apple TV or listen to it on 1500 ESPN.
Availability
MIN | Out: Kayne Rizvanovich (concussion protocol), Wil Trapp (concussion protocol) ; Questionable: None
LAFC | Out: Thayllon (leg), Timothy Tillman (pelvis) ; Questionable: Yevhen Cheberko (leg)
