LAFC and Minnesota United will face off this week, with the hosts looking to leapfrog the visitors in the Western Conference standings.
LAFC have been one of the great teams of MLS since the expansion in 2018, but this season, it has been a telling tale of mild struggles as they get set to take on Minnesota United. Their success in the past years has been unprecedented. Still, this time out, they are likely to miss out on the supporters’ shield owing to Inter Miami and the next opponent, Minnesota United.
LAFC are currently fourth in the standings and have set sights on their visitors’ second spot on the Western Conference table. After a difficult start to the season in which they managed only three wins in the first nine games, Steven Cherundolo’s men have since won five straight games in all competitions, which has seen them rise in the standings.
Minnesota United, on the other hand, have struggled for relevance since coming into the league. But this season, they are making a mark on proceedings. They have failed to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs in three of the last seven seasons. But this time around, they are eager to make their mark.
Heading to LA, they could come into this clash with confidence, having already beaten their hosts earlier this year. It is imperative for Minnesota to secure a win or at least keep things in control with a draw, as they cannot afford to let LAFC leapfrog them in the standings.
Team News & Tactics
LAFC
LAFC are without at least five players ahead of their visit to LAFC, with Ilie Sanchez, David Martinez, Kei Kamara and Lorenzo Dellavalle all missing from action since the previous game, while Eduard Atuesta’s red card likely to see him miss out.
Erik Duenas will again be the likely replacement for the latter and will take his place in central midfield. He will have Timothy Tillman for company in the middle of the park.
Sergi Palencia and Omar Campos are likely to feature as the wing-backs. At the back, Jesus Murillo, Maxime Chanot, and Aaron Long will form that backline. Up front, Cristian Olivera, Nathan Ordaz, and Denis Bouanga will form the front three.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Lloris; Murillo, Chanot, Long; Palencia, Tillman, Duenas, Campos; Olivera, Ordaz, Bouanga
Minnesota United
The visitors do not have many problems when it comes to the fitness of their squad, with only Hugo Bacharach likely to miss out with an injury. There are further doubts, with Moses Nyeman and Emanuel Reynoso the big doubts for the visitors.
The latter will miss out with some off-field issues, although the manager can still surprise the team by naming him part of the starting eleven or the matchday squad. Minnesota United will field a strong back-five, which has given them some success in recent games.
The manager has emphasised strong defensive foundations to keep their run going, with the front players also being clinical in their approach. Tani Oluwaseyi will lead the front line as their lone striker, with Wil Trapp and Robin Lod set to feature in central midfield.
Probable Lineup (5-4-1): Clair; Taylor, Arriaga, Boxall, Tapias, Rosales; Hlongwane, Lod, Trapp, Sang-Bin; Oluwaseyi
Ways to Watch
Key Stats
- LAFC have won their last five games in all competitions
- Los Angeles FC have kept a clean sheet in their previous three matches in MLS.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Minnesota United’s last seven games in MLS.
- Minnesota United have scored at least two goals in their last six matches in MLS.
Player to Watch
Hugo Lloris
The former France and Spurs captain has been instrumental in LAFC’s recent growth in stature, keeping a clean sheet in three of their most recent MLS games. The French legend will have to play an instrumental role against the formidable Minnesota side, who are eager to leapfrog his side in the standings.
Lloris has been a leader all his life, and LAFC fans will hope he has not lost his touch for this MLS side. The Frenchman will have a huge role to play in proceedings, especially against Minnesota United.
Prediction
LAFC 2-1 Minnesota United
This promises to be a blockbuster clash for the neutrals, although the visitors will come here under a bit more pressure than the hosts. For Minnesota United, the idea is to contain the fluid attack of LAFC and retain their position on the table.
LAFC will have home advantage heading into this clash, and their manager will want the crowd to be their 12th man on the pitch. Considering the form and other aspects ahead of this clash, the home team might nick the three points in a slender manner. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for LAFC.