LAFC vs Minnesota United: Match Preview

Where: Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, California

When: Sunday, September 1, 7:30 pm PT

How to Watch: YouTube TV and KMVD in the LA viewing area, and ESPN+ in the rest of the United States

Los Angeles Football Club will look to keep their six-match unbeaten streak intact as they welcome Western Conference foe Minnesota United to Banc of California Stadium on Sunday. LAFC are coming off a wild 3-3 draw at home to the LA Galaxy, while Minnesota are hoping to bounce back from losing to Sporting Kansas City on the road in MLS play on Thursday, and then in the U.S. Open Cup final to Atlanta United on Tuesday.

LAFC, as we get into the home stretch of the MLS season, remain on top of the Western Conference and MLS table. Their 62 points are far ahead of the pack, with Atlanta United and Philadelphia Union having 48, and Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders having 43 in the West. Their goal tally of 74 is not even close to any other team, with the Union being closest with 51, and their league-best 28 goals allowed leads to an absurd +46 goal differential. Meanwhile, Minnesota is right in the middle of the Western teams that are in playoff positions at the moment, sitting in 5th with 42 points, tied with the Galaxy and just one under RSL and Seattle.

Minnesota’s road form will be something to keep an eye on heading into the match, as they have four wins, eight losses, and a draw on the road in MLS matches. Couple that with LAFC’s notable home-field advantage and 11 wins at the Banc, with just two draws in MLS play, and Minnesota may be in for a long night.

Interestingly, this will be the first time LAFC plays Minnesota this season, and are set to play them again at the end of September. Last time LAFC played Minnesota, it was in Minnesota, and the Loons won 5-1 in a very surprising and un-LAFC-like result. It was very much a game that got out of hand in a hurry for LAFC, as they were tied 1-1 after the 26th minute, but Christian Ramirez and Darwin Quintero scored in the span of two minutes before halftime, and LAFC was down 3-1 at the break, and got broken open for two more goals in the second half. Miguel Ibarra made it 4-1, and Ramirez added a second, and LAFC went home with their second-worst loss in their history. The game before that, LAFC had won 2-0 at home, with Minnesota getting five yellow cards along the way, and Eduard Atuesta and Mark-Anthony Kaye getting the goals for the Black and Gold.

Prediction: LAFC 3, Minnesota 1. Make no mistake, Minnesota is a good team. But the loss last season does not really tell us anything because of just how many things have changed. Minnesota has been a playoff contender all season for a reason, so LAFC will not be taking them lightly. However, given the tear that LAFC have been on, and the quality on both teams, I think LAFC come away with a comprehensive victory.

What do you think? Leave a comment below!