Last time the Loons crossed paths with the Black and Gold back in March, MNUFC felt like the aggressor in the 2-0 win at the (occasionally) friendly confines of Allianz Field. But, we’re now on the cusp of June, and LAFC’s slow start to the season appears to be a distant memory, as a far more in-form LAFC side would keep the Loons on their heels for much of the evening, with 2023’s Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga being the biggest instigator whenever he was near the Loons’ goal. He would open the scoring in the 38th minute following a hard takedown by DJ Taylor in his own box, setting the table for Bouanga to strike first blood off the penalty kick. He would nearly double up on scores in the 73rd minute, if not for an incredible save by St. Clair at point blank range

When it came to Loons’ set piece opportunities, the accuracy we’ve seen from Joseph Rosales this season simply wasn’t there tonight, twice having corner kick attempts hook out of bounds before reaching the doorstep of the goal box, including in the 29th minute when it appeared that Micky Tapias had given the Loons the lead before the assistant referee waved it off. Every footballer has their share of matches where things are just out of sync, but the Loons as a whole exhibited a level of dullness for an attacking third that has been sharp for much of the season up to now. A lack of quality opportunities was another contrast to the peppering they’ve put on opposing goalies in 2024. With each promising run by Minnesota, the LAFC defense was quick to snuff out any chance for igniting some momentum.

The final dagger in a sub-par evening for the boys came when Mateusz Bogusz unleashed an ablsolute laser of a banger from distance, perfectly placing the kick in the top right corner of the net. It would be the exclamation on what felt like an evening in which the boys would leave BMO Stadium with a tough loss and some regrouping to do in the short time they have to get right before facing Sporting Kansas City at Allianz Field this Saturday.