When Minnesota United play the LA Galaxy, there is hardly a dull moment. The latest edition of this matchup lived up to the reputation, seeing the visitors come out on top with a 3-2 victory. The Loons snapped their losing streak with an emphatic, dominant first-half display that proved too much for the Galaxy to recover from. Despite a rocky run of form leading up to the game, everything was coming up blue and black at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday night.
From the very beginning, this game had an edge to it. In just the 2nd minute of play, midfielder Kervin Arriaga was stretchered off the pitch with an apparent injury. Despite this unfortunate start, or perhaps in response to it, the Loons took flight.
Minnesota United won the ball just a few minutes later and quickly launched a counter-attack. Emmanuel Reynoso found himself with the ball on the right side of the field, just beyond the penalty area. After a quick cut to put the ball on his magical left foot, Reynoso scored a GOLAZO, nestling the ball into the side netting and leaving Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond with no chance.
This only served to inject even more energy into the contest, as fans were treated to a wonderful display of end-to-end soccer for the next 15 minutes. Minnesota showed passages of brilliant combination play, as did the Galaxy. This looked as though it would continue all game long, until the 25th minute when Galaxy winger Kevin Cabral’s foot caught Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair in the head. Cabral would be shown a red card for the contact, putting the Galaxy down a man.
From that point on, LA appeared to be dead in the water. Creative play from the Loons stretched the field and scrambled the opposition. After several minutes of one-way traffic, some beautiful one-touch combination play from Minnesota led to a pinpoint, first-time cross from Kemar Lawrence. The cross found Franco Fragapane at the back post, where he promptly hammered the ball into the top of the goal to put his team up 2-0.
But wait, there’s more!
Just before half, the Loons struck again. A great chip pass from DJ Taylor connected with a fantastic run by substitute Bongokuhle Hlongwane down the right side of the field. Hlongwane’s cut back and cross put the ball on a platter for Reynoso, who took the shot cool as you like for his fifth goal of the MLS season.
With the Loons up 3-0 and looking like they could do no wrong, the halftime whistle stopped the bleeding for the Galaxy. Coming out of the break, they found new life from substitute Efraín Álvarez. Sustained pressure and several corner kicks back-to-back made life a little uncomfortable for Minnesota, but they stood tall through the initial onslaught.
The Galaxy got their reward though in the 60th minute, when the dynamic play of Álvarez drew a foul from Wil Trapp in the penalty area. The ensuing penalty kick was well-taken by Mark Delgado, pulling one back for the Galaxy.
From that point out, both teams began to implement new strategies. As Minnesota began to condense the field and absorb pressure, the Galaxy brought on more attacking substitutes in Douglas Costa and Dejan Joveljić in an attempt to spark something special.
The rest of the second half wasn’t quite as clean as the first half, but exciting nonetheless. The Loons created a few chances to put the game to bed, but ultimately failed to score number four. In the 3rd minute of stoppage time, Joveljić ended up finding the back of the net after a decent Galaxy attack, putting a bit of zip and uncertainty into the final moments of the match.
Immediately following the final whistle, a post-game scuffle broke out near midfield. Referee Ted Unkel was close to the action, ultimately giving out a second yellow to Joseph Rosales and a straight red to Douglas Costa after the dust settled. Both players will be suspended for their next matches.
Ultimately, the game finished 3-2 in favor of the Loons. While the score line flattered the Galaxy, a few mistakes in the second half from Minnesota is what ultimately allowed LA back into the game. Despite the mistakes, the Loons appeared to be in control for most of the match. If they can put together an entire game playing like they did in today’s first half, they could be a force to be reckoned with.
MNUFC will take their three points and head home for their next match, their first league game at Allianz Field since May 28 against NYCFC. Minnesota will be looking to take advantage of the Wonderwall’s support this Sunday and try to start a new streak.
UP NEXT
Minnesota United FC vs. Real Salt Lake
Allianz Field | Saint Paul, MN
07.03.22 | MLS regular season game no. 18
7:00 p.m. CT (MLS Live on ESPN+, Bally Sports North EXTRA, The CW - Twin Cities, 1500 ESPN)
