MNUFC unbeaten streak ended at seven, following tough loss to LAFC

Dominant on the statsheet but not on the scoreboard, that was the story of the night for Minnesota United. An early flurry of chances, set pieces, and shots made it appear that MNUFC would dominate the match in every conceivable way. And much of that happened as the Loons outshot, out possessed, and out xG's LAFC. But the one stat they didn't win in was goals as LAFC's David Martinez scored from an improbable angle just nine minutes in on what proved to be the match winner.

With a plethora of matches in such a short amount of time Cameron Knowles heavily rotated his squad. Six players were retained from Wednesday's win in FC Dallas and five players were swapped for the Loons. Wil Trapp made his first start since missing a match due to illness while James Rodríguez made his first ever start at Allianz Field. Devin Padelford, Bongi Hlongwane, and Momo Dieng also joined the eleven.

From the opening whistle Minnesota United went all out in what can only be described as foot on throat mode. The Loons had multiple free kicks and chances at goal and yet just couldn't find the back of the net. Nine minutes in it was the visitors LAFC and not the Loons who struck first.

David Martinez cut through Minnesota's back line towards the near side of the six and from a sharp angle almost at the byline his shot cleared over Drake Callender and into the upper corner.

“Really well taken. That’s a really, really tight angle to score from, but it’s something that we can do better at," manager Cameron Knowles said following the match. "Certainly, we can get pressure higher up the field earlier, and defend the box a little bit better, not let them come inside, but it’s a well-taken finish.”

Following the goal it took a bit for Minnesota United to regain composure but as soon as they did the Loons once again tried to put foot on throat. MNUFC ended up getting quite a few set pieces and made everything look dangerous thanks to James Rodríguez. The Loons had everything going for them except finishing their chances. If there was a player of the half award it would have gone to LAFC keeper Hugo Lloris.

"I wanted to score today, that’s why I was trying from all directions," James Rodríguez said to the media following Saturday's match. "[I was] trying to find whichever way I could help the team, whether it was playing a lot or a few [minutes], I am always going to be good and will always compete to help.

The second half started as the first had ended with Minnesota United really trying to hammer LAFC in every possible way. In terms of shots the strategy paid off as the Loons continued to get chances at goal, with set pieces and in free play. Minnesota's best chance came in the 59th minute when James sent a ball to Kelvin Yeboah, who was unmarked in the box. As LAFC's defence came down on Yeboah he took the shot and missed it just wide of goal.

After making a triplicate of changes in the 62nd minute, bringing on Chancalay, Duncan, and Pereyra for James, Bongi Hlongwane, and Momo Dieng, the Loons had another great chance for a goal. Joaquín Pereyra floated a nice ball that Jefferson Díaz got his head on and missed just wide of the goal, a constant theme of the night for MNUFC. Díaz's header ended up being the last time the Loons threatened for a goal, with the match ending with Minnesota being shut out at home.

Up next for the Loons is another trip to California as they'll face San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday night in the fourth round of the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The winner of that match will advance to the Quarter-Finals, held in late May ahead of the summer break for the World Cup.