Minnesota United: Loons Beat LAFC 3-1 to Stay in Playoff Race
Joaquin Pereyra scored twice, and Cherrion Valerius added a goal as Minnesota United defeated LAFC, keeping its Western Conference playoff hopes alive.
By Allison Rojas ·
Minnesota United held LAFC to a single goal in a 3-1 victory on Sunday night, a result that keeps the Loons alive in the Western Conference playoff race.
Joaquin Pereyra scored two goals, and Cherrion Valerius added a third for the visitors. The win improves Minnesota’s record to 10 wins, 12 losses, and 11 draws for 41 points. The team is now 3-0-3 in its last six matches. LAFC finished with a 12-10-11 record and 47 points. The loss ended LAFC’s four-match unbeaten streak, which consisted of one win and three draws. The club had already secured a playoff spot.
Pereyra opened the scoring in the 29th minute. He collected a loose ball in the box after Cherrion Valerius threw it in from the left side. LAFC defender Kelvin Yeboah deflected the ball, and Pereyra fired a left-footed shot into the right corner. Valerius extended the lead shortly after. He ran into the box and volleyed a pass that had bounced off Yeboah’s head into the right corner. This was Valerius’ first goal in six starts. The scoring burst reversed Minnesota’s recent trend, as the team had been shut out in its previous four meetings with LAFC.
Goalkeeper Drake Callender recorded six saves for Minnesota. He prevented LAFC from narrowing the gap until late in the match. LAFC dominated possession metrics, holding a 22-6 advantage in total shots and a 7-3 edge in shots on target. Despite the statistical lead, the hosts did not score until the 90th minute. Sergio Vasquez put the ball in the net to make it 3-1. Pereyra sealed the result in the 80th minute by blasting a shot into the lower left corner past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Tensions rose late in the first half when LAFC forward Igor Jesus slammed the ball into the turf in front of referee Joe Dickerson. The referee issued a yellow card to Jesus. Minnesota now faces San Jose at home on Saturday. The Loons are two points behind Seattle and Colorado for the final playoff berth. Minnesota must win its match and hope for losses from both the Sounders and the Rapids to advance.
