The mission in this one, simple, if not having their work cut out for them for LAFC. After a few weeks of bumpy results in MLS, it was all about getting back on track and getting back to winning for the black & gold. Getting the offense going and finding some goals would be a plus, especially with the semifinals of Concacaf Champions Cup just around the corner, but first, three points and some momentum gathering in Minnesota.
The Starting XI for #MINvLAFC#LAFC | @BMO_US pic.twitter.com/i8bkcuvQ8Y
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 25, 2026
As expected, with one eye on the start of Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals at the midweek, there was some rotation in the squad for LAFC, but thankfully, it wasn’t a lot as the team realize they need to not only win this match to get back to winning ways, but desperately needed to find some form and get some momentum going in the positive ahead of what will be a very crucial period for the club. As always, the first goal was crucial, and Los Angeles didn’t wait long to fid the back of the net. In just the ninth minute, it was forward David Martinez who stepped up once again when the team needed him most. A great one-two with Timothy Tillman ended with the young forward taking on a shot from an insane angle, but still finding the back of the net with a laser that went past the keeper and into the back of the net for the early lead.
The Touch 🥶
The Finish 🚀David Martínez opens the scoring. pic.twitter.com/koW6uhCvIb
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 25, 2026
Despite getting the go-ahead goal and taking the early lead, it was the home side Minnesota who proceeded to take control of the first half. They finished with slightly more possession, but it was the shots that they racked up on the visitors throughout the first half. Minnesota United finished with nearly five times the amount of shots more than Los Angeles, but couldn’t do anything with the opportunities, with just two of them finding the target, and none really threatening Hugo Lloris.
The first half, after the initial score, was a lot of just prevent defense style of play from LAFC, not necessarily sitting back and parking the bus, but with the lead, there was no pressure to go all-out in attack when they could just focus on defense. LAFC finished the half with three shots, three on target, and of course, the all-important goal, which is all that mattered when heading into the halftime break.
The second half saw Minnesota midfielder James Rodríguez start to take over for his side. The first 15 minutes of the second half saw the Colombian midfielder begin to really pull the strings in attack, setting up several really good looks at goal that were a lot more threatening than the looks in the first half. Some big saves from Lloris, a great clearance off the goal line from the defense, and some well-timed tackles in the final third kept the home side from finding the equalizer, but Minnesota United were starting to find their rhythm.
Much like the first half, it was mostly Minnesota who were finding the opportunities and peppering the goal with shot after shot. It wasn’t until the 85th minute when we finally saw LAFC put forward their best look of the second half, but it was an effort met with a great save from the United keeper, to keep the lead to just one goal. Despite giving up so many looks, it was another masterclass in defense for Los Angeles, holding onto the lead as they looked to see out the match and come away with the road win, even if it wasn’t the sexiest of results.
Three minutes into stoppage time it looked like Denis Bouanga was about to put this one away as he got on the ball, got past defenders and was flying down the pitch on a 1v1 with nothing but the keeper in his path. The final shot wasn’t from the best angle, but it wasn’t a bad shot, it was just met by another save from Minnesota United goalkeeper, Drake Callender. The late flurry wasn’t enough to find a second goal, but it wouldn’t matter, as the final whistle blew and LAFC were able to come away with the very professional, if not nervy, 1-0 win on the road against a very tough Minnesota side. Nothing to write home about, but three points is all that matters and Los Angeles were back in the win column with a very important fixture at the midweek on the horizon.
Thoughts on the win in Minnesota? Leave a comment below!