Preview: Minnesota United try to continue hot start against LA Galaxy

The Loons have gathered six points in their first two matches of the season; a record for the club in their first two years in Major League Soccer. Those six points have put them in third place in the Western Conference, only behind Los Angeles FC and the Seattle Sounders by goal differential. In addition to those six points and third place ranking, Minnesota won both of those games on the road. In 2018, the Loons only gathered a single away win during the whole 2018 season. There has been immense progress from the squad in the first two matches of the season, however, they are now facing their first true test of the season in Los Angeles

What to expect from Minnesota

As previously mentioned, United gathered six points on two away road wins in the first two matches of the season.

Those wins came from a 3-2 victory in Week 1 with goals from Quintero (a penalty), Calvo and Romario Ibarra while Week 2 saw Minnesota pull away in the second half from San Jose, slotting three goals past them to claim a victory and clean sheet. Goals from Quintero (another penalty) and Miguel Ibarra as well as a Harold Cummings own goal saw them close out the game, earning their first shut-out of the year.

The back line of Minnesota is going to be tested, and Vito Mannone should finally see some action, for better or for worse. Keep an eye on Romario Ibarra and his pace against a relatively slow back line from the Galaxy. Through balls could be a key factor into an early goal for Minnesota, which could set up the match.

Deets

Typically, we wouldn’t recommend this, but it is going to be a late one folks. [Editor’s Note: Recap duty will be a blast for this...]

• Coffee, snacks and more snacks.
• Kickoff is slated for 9:30 p.m. (west coast kickoffs are the worst, we know).
• Tune into Fox Sports North at 9:00 p.m. to hang with Cal, Kyndra and Jamie
• LA’s injury report seems to give the Loons some sort of an edge:

OUT: M – Perry Kitchen (ankle) M – Juninho (knee)

QUESTIONABLE: F – Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Achilles) M – Romain Allessandrini (right hamstring)

Staff Predictions

1. Seth Steffenhagen: 3-1 Minnesota
2. Gustavo Navarette: 2-2 draw
3. Eli Hoff: Loons win 1-0
4. John Stephenson: 3-2 Galaxy, 90th minute winner
5. Tim Mclaughlin: 2-0 Minnesota
6. Jacob Schneider: 1-1 draw

Thoughts on the match? Let us know in the comments section below!