Minnesota United came into the match missing multiple players due to injury and illness. While missing pieces, the Loons went out to California and showed they can hang with teams and even dominate aspects of the match. With two second half goals, one from Markanich and the other from Yeboah, MNUFC left Southern California with a huge win over the LA Galaxy.
With five players out due to injury or illness the Loons eleven looked both foreign and familiar. Only one change to the eleven from the draw in Seattle with Owen Gene jumping in for
Match 🧵 | #LAvMIN We’re getting close to kickoff in the first of back to back editions of #MLSAfterDark and the rosters are out. Just one change for #MNUFC from two weeks ago Gene in for Trapp 🕤: 9:30pm CT ⚽️: 9:39pm CT appx 🖥️: Apple TV 📻: 1500 ESPN
— Northland Soccer Journal (@northlandsoccer.com) 2026-04-05T01:55:43.110Z
The first half of play was a rough and chippy affair with a combined 17 fouls between the two sides. It also seemed like a lot of nothing outside that happened in the opening forty-five minutes, even with a total of nine shots happening. That all changed in the second half and early in the half as well.
Six minutes into the second half of football it was Anthony Markanich scoring with a very rare non-header goal to put Minnesota up 1–0.
Anthony to the keeper: Lemme sneak right past ya 😛
— Minnesota United FC (@mnufc.com) 2026-04-05T04:07:28.651719Z
LA Galaxy didn't take long to counter with Marco Reus scoring on a rebound after Drake Callender made a huge parry, but couldn't jump on the ball in time.
While the Galaxy put themselves up and Markanich was handed a card shortly after the Loons immediately pushed for a second goal. Ten minutes after LA's equaliser they got it with a Kelvin Yeboah goal on a beautiful run into the six yard box.
Cha Cha Cha(ncalay) slides it to Kelvin to restore the lead
— Minnesota United FC (@mnufc.com) 2026-04-05T04:26:25.640901Z
Minnesota United continues MLS play next weekend against San Diego FC starting a congested week that will see the Loons play three matches in seven days. Following the match in San Diego, MNUFC will head north to the California state capital for a US Open Cup third round showdown with Sacramento Republic of the USL Championship.
