Match report | LA’s last-minute score extends Loons’ suffering

Regardless of who would be in Minnesota United’s starting lineup tonight, coach Eric Ramsey and Co. were well aware of the task on Sunday evening in Carson, California:

The Loons took to the field at Dignity Health Sports Park in a heralded 4-4-2 formation, but it played more like a 5-2-3. Robin Lod, Bongi Hlongwane and Sang Bin Jeong led the Loons’ attack, hoping to use their blistering speed to find space to attack opponents. A task that is certainly easier said than done against LA Galaxy, who have put on some of their best performances of the season recently (with the exception of the 2-1 loss to LAFC at the Rose Bowl on July 4).

While the lineup structure is nothing new for the Loons this season, the plan for tonight was to keep it extra compact in order to cut off any midfield channels for LA’s Riqui Puig to operate and distribute the ball. This approach worked until the 25th minute when Puig, a player who is always dangerous with the ball at his feet, found Miki Yamane, who was charging down the right flank to set up Gabriel Pec for a tap-in. 1-0, LA.

The Loons looked to level the score quickly by playing a quick counter-attack just minutes later. The drive through the middle created opportunities for the Loons and looked set to equalise. It was some clever legwork from Sang Bin Jeong near the 18-yard line that was able to unbalance the Galaxy backs and play a quick pass to Hlongwane, with a beautiful cross to Alejandro Bran for goal…or so we thought. Ultimately, VAR showed Bongi was just a hair offside on Sang Bin’s pass, ending the Loons’ hopes of a first-half equaliser. To make matters worse, defender DJ Taylor’s night ended early due to an apparent leg injury, meaning Caden Clark was called into action earlier than expected.

The Loons increased their aggressiveness in the opening minutes of the second half, with the offense trying to catch the Galaxy defense off guard early, with Boxy and the back row guys even pushing forward to hopefully force something.

It was a healthy Teemu Pukki who returned to the field on Sunday in Carson and made his presence felt for the Black and Blue after missing several weeks with a knee injury. The most impressive moment of the great Finn’s return came in the 73rd minute when he finally scored a dream long-range goal that tied the Loons’ second-half comeback.

Carlos Harvey returned to the lineup in the closing minutes and looked strong in his short time on the field, focusing on the ever-dangerous Puig and limiting his chances to break the tie. Franco Fragapane also came into the game, coming on alongside Harvey for Bongi in the 77th minute. And Fragapane nearly put the boys ahead in the 85th minute with his powerful line drive shot that LA keeper John McCarthy was able to catch with his finger and deflect out of play.

However, in the last minute, MNUFC’s hopes of ending their incredibly tough 6-game winning streak were dashed by more masterpieces from Puig and Pec, as Puig’s beautiful ball found Mauricio Cuevas who cut through the box and then passed it to Gabriel Pec who effortlessly slotted home the brace. The Loons missed a golden opportunity in the 92nd minute just outside the Galaxy’s penalty area, as a back and forth between Lod and Fragapane proved to be one shot too many and LA cleared the ball safely out of play.

This game was not without its positives, however. Bongi continued to rise to the occasion, using his speed and physicality to force the opposition to score tonight and over the past few weeks. In only his second MLS appearance, Loons goalkeeper Alec Smir showed his potential throughout the game, highlighted by a beautiful save in the 70th minute. The goals conceded were difficult to prevent, with LA’s attack being more crucial to the decisive goals than a mistake from Smir. And of course, it was a welcome sight to see Teemu Pukki score after his frustrations earlier in the season.

But in the end, it would be a major achievement wasted for a Minnesota United team that hopes that big efforts like tonight will no longer go unrewarded. They will do their best to stop their losing streak next Saturday against the Dynamo in Houston.