Seeking a first trip to the conference finals since 2020, Minnesota United aim to prolong their improbable MLS Cup playoff journey beyond Sunday when they head to Dignity Health Sports Park for a date with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Both sides swept their respective opening round series, with LA claiming a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids at the beginning of November and the Loons winning consecutive penalty shootouts against Real Salt Lake.
Match preview
© Imago
Among the most potent attacks during the regular season (69 goals), Los Angeles showed no signs of slowing down in the first round of the playoffs, winning their two matches versus the Burgundy Boys by a combined margin of 9-1.
Throughout the season, their attack has got them through many fixtures, winning seven games domestically this year when conceding multiple strikes.
Lately, though, Greg Vanney's men have been sharper on the back end, conceding a goal or fewer in four of their last five league encounters, including just one in the post-season.
The Galaxy have been sensational at home all year, without a single defeat at Dignity Health Sports Park in 2024, winning their last 12 MLS affairs in Carson, including their opening-round victory versus Colorado (5-0).
On Sunday, they can book a place in the Western Conference final for the first time since 2014, the year of their previous MLS Cup triumph.
LA have been eliminated in their previous three conference semi-final appearances, though they have not lost a home game at this stage of the playoffs since 2012 when the San Jose Earthquakes beat them 1-0 at the Home Depot Center.
© Imago
The biggest surprise in the opening round of the playoffs out west was Minnesota United, who eliminated their first post-season opponent for the first time since 2020.
That was the last time they made the conference finals, eliminating Sports Kansas City on the road to get to that stage (3-0) before being knocked out in their next match by the Seattle Sounders (3-2).
Their opponents on Sunday have been deadly in the attacking third all year, but Minnesota are here because of an airtight defensive unit, conceding a goal or fewer in seven successive league games, counting the playoffs, and posting five clean sheets over that span.
Eric Ramsay's side have emerged victorious from their previous six competitive fixtures away from home, with their last defeat as the visitors occurring in the Leagues Cup against Seattle (2-0).
They have won their previous seven encounters versus MLS opposition when scoring the opening goal and have not lost when doing so since suffering a 3-2 defeat to the Portland Timbers at Providence Park in June.
The Loons have lost two of their last three away meetings versus the Galaxy and were beaten in their only playoff game against them at Allianz Field in 2019 (2-1).
Team News
© Imago
Martin Caceres is unlikely to return to the Galaxy lineup this weekend after suffering an Achilles injury earlier in the 2024 campaign.
Riqui Puig had a brace in both of their matches in the opening round, with their other goals in game two coming courtesy of Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec.
Matus Kmet has been ruled out of this encounter for Minnesota United, with the Slovak defender still recovering from a thigh injury.
Joseph Rosales had the only goal for them in that second game versus RSL, while Dayne St. Clair came up big in the shootout once again, stopping two shots before Jeong Sang-bin converted the winner.
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
McCarthy; Yamane, Garces, Yoshida, Nelson; Delgado, Cerrillo, Puig; Pec, Joveljic, Paintsil
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Hlongwane, Harvey, Boxall, Diaz, Rosales; Lod, Dotson, Trapp, Fragapane; Yeboah
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 Minnesota United
For as compact as Minnesota have been down the stretch of the season, the Galaxy have a plethora of attacking talent to call upon, which we believe will ultimately be too much for the Loons to handle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
