The less said about that match, the better. Minnesota United fell to LAFC Wednesday night in a 5-1 blowout. The brilliant performance of Denis Bouanga left the visitors with little chance of keeping up, propelling the home side to a crucial, comfortable win.

Despite gaining the advantage from a fourth-minute goal, courtesy of Hassani Dotson, the Loons failed to compete at the level necessary to really challenge their opponents on the night. LAFC came right back down the field from the ensuing kickoff to level the score immediately, and things only got worse from there. Bouanga’s first half hat trick sucked the air out of the game, but it was the 46th minute own goal to start the second half that truly killed off any hopes of a comeback. 

A lack of enthusiasm and creativity saw the visitors take just seven shots all game long, compared to an impressive 29 shots from the Black and Gold. LAFC flexed their muscles in the second half, keeping their foot on the gas and continuing to create chance after chance against a Loons side that was already out of the game. Filip Krastev added the final strike in the 67th minute, wrapping up the night and leaving MNUFC black and blue in more ways than one. 

The stats tell the game story better than any words possibly could; in virtually every facet of the game, LAFC was dominant. When you don’t learn your lessons early on in a match, the other team usually stops teaching you after they’ve gone ahead by a few goals. That wasn’t the case tonight, as the Falcons thoroughly outclassed the Loons from start to finish.

The Loons will need to pick their heads up and move on from this loss quickly, as a rematch with the LA Galaxy is coming to Allianz Field this Saturday, October 7. MNUFC is now sitting in 12th place in the West, just three points out of playoff contention. With two games remaining, there is still room for the Loons to pick up six crucial points in the playoff race before the regular season comes to a close.

UP NEXT

Minnesota United FC vs. LA Galaxy

Allianz Field | Saint Paul, Minnesota

10.07.23 | MLS Game 33

7:30 pm CT (Watch on AppleTV’s MLS Season Pass)

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