Struggling Loons host on the rise San Diego FC

Winless in six straight, MNUFC faces San Diego FC in the final match before Leagues Cup

, and Ashle Paige

August 1, 2026 . 11:06 AM

3 min read

San Diego FC forward Tomás Ángel (9) and Minnesota United midfielder Joaquín Pereyra (26) during the match FC at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

Coming off a nil-nil draw last week, Minnesota United are now winless in six straight matches. Tonight they'll host a San Diego side with two wins in their last five matches, including a win last weekend. MNUFC's biggest problem has been a lack of scoring, which lags behind 2025 numbers. But last weekend Mamadou Dieng had a breakout performance that shows it's only a matter of time before the young forward earns his first points in MLS.

"They [San Diego FC ] like to draw you out, they like to invite that pressure so they speed up and play through you," manager Cameron Knowles said to the media on Tuesday. He also spoke about the lack of offensive success against Vancouver saying, "You need to be really clinical in transition and we had the chances and were just unable to put them away."

Cameron Knowles is viewing last weekends performance as a positive and something that could really kickstart the rest of the season. Especially with the challenge of fixture congestion throughout August, while the club are missing a few key players. Though as long as Minnesota's defence keeps up where it has been for most of the season the team should have a huge advantage over San Diego tonight in St. Paul.

San Diego FC has struggled to say the least this season, especially when playing on the road. SDFC's 1-2-4 (W-D-L) record with seven goals scored away from Snapdragon Stadium have hurt the clubs 2026 season and left them under the playoff line. Scoring 31 goals, with 24 coming at home along with playing a high possession game is not the usual recipe for success in St. Paul against a club who has allowed less than two goals per match. For the Loons they key will be shutting down offensive weapons Marcus Ingvartsen and Anders Dreyer, who have combined for 17 goals and 9 assists this season. Should Minnesota do that the Loons will have a good chance at securing their first set of three points since 2 May.

News & Notes

Peter Stroud re-aggravated his previous injury and he will miss tonight's match. Nectarios Triantis and Nicolás Romero remain out due to injury, per Cameron Knowles the pair are being

San Diego FC has two wins in their last five compared to MNUFC's six match winless run. But San Diego sits 12th in the West (20 points) compared to the Loons 9th place (23 points)

Wonderwall supporters are having another March to the Match this evening. Supporters will be meeting at the Giant Loon (Snelling & University) at 6:30pm. Prior to that the Dark Clouds & Red Loons will be at Black Hart of St. Paul and TNE at the Midway Saloon.

TV time is set for 7:30pm this evening with kickoff happening at approximately 7:39pm. If you aren't there in person you can watch on Apple TV and listen on 1500ESPN.