Recap: Loons draw against LA, but that’s all that was needed

Sunday’s Decision Day match ended with the second best possible outcome for Minnesota United. The Loons draw with LA Galaxy but get the point that pushed them into the playoffs. The Loons only made one change on their Starting XI for the trip to Carson, CA with Hassani Dotson slotting in a LDM to replace Ozzie Alonso, who was out on yellow card suspension.

The match got off to a very odd start with Bakaye Dibassy being issued a questionable yellow card just two minutes into the match. This was made more odd as later on in the match Dibassy made an even more dangerous tackle that he wasn’t issued a card on.

20 minutes after Dibassy’s yellow card, Adrien Hunou would score the first goal of the evening for Minnesota. Hunou received a pass from Métanire, one that was initially called offside, and ran down the left side into the box and beating LA keeper Jonathan Bond. While the pass and therefore play and goal were ruled offside, it was overturned after VAR review.

12 minutes later Robin Lod scored the Loons second goal of the match off a free kick followed by, well a jumbled mess in the box that you have to see.

Minnesota would not end up holding that 2-0 lead very long as the Galaxy cut it in half just before the end of the half. Kévin Cabral came into the top of the box and sent a rolling cross from the right to the left side where an uncovered and charging Sebastian Lletget finished off the play with an easy goal.

The Galaxy would tie up the match just a few minutes into the second half with Chicharito’s first of two goals on the evening.

Barely over 10 minutes later, Minnesota once again took the lead over the Galaxy. Franco Fragapane took advantage of a gap in LA’s defence and sent a long direct pass to Adrien Hunou. Hunou took a chance attempting a cross back to Fragapane but the Galaxy’s Julian Araujo ended up kicking into the back of his own goal to give Minnesota back the lead.

With 15 minutes to go the Galaxy would tie the match back up on Chicharito’s second goal of the afternoon

The Loons had the chance to take the lead again after LA was called for a handball in the box, however Franco Fragapane missed the stutter step kick wide to the left, hitting the outside of the post.

With minutes to go in the LA Galaxy/Minnesota match, Real Salt Lake sealed their playoff spot with a win over Sporting Kansas City. This meant the Galaxy needed to win to make the playoffs, which would have knocked MNUFC out. The Galaxy did push hard to get a late goal but were ultimately unsuccessful in their efforts sending the Loons into the playoffs.

With the regular season now over the playoff picture is now set as well. Minnesota United FC will play their next match in about two weeks at Providence Park in Portland, OR against the Portland Timbers. Currently no date, time, or broadcast information for any playoff match has been released.