Minnesota United FC vs. LAFC
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 21
TCF Bank Stadium — Minneapolis
July 22 - 7 pm ET
WATCH: TSN 2, ESPN+
Two Western Conference foes coming off midweek triumphs meet at TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday as Minnesota United FC host LAFC.
The Loons have won back-to-back games for the third time this season after defeating the New England Revolution in league play, while LAFC knocked off the Portland Timbers, 3-2, in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals.
LAFC earned a 2-0 win at Minnesota in the first-ever meeting between the two clubs in May with Eduard Atuesta and Mark-Anthony Kaye scoring six minutes apart in the first half.
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Minnesota United FC
Christian Ramirez and Darwin Quintero scored at both ends of the first half to help lift Minnesota to a 2-1 win over the New England Revolution Wednesday night at TCF Bank Stadium.
Ramirez put the Loons (8-11-1) in front in the 5th minute, pouncing on an errant headed ball by Jalil Anibaba and cleverly chipping over Matt Turner, who was off his line to play a potential back pass. Quintero then doubled Minnesota’s lead just before the break with a sensational solo effort.
Diego Fagundez pulled the Revolution a goal back in the 52nd minute, beating former teammate Bobby Shuttleworth with a penalty kick up the middle after Alexi Gomez pushed over Kelyn Rowe. But Shuttleworth wouldn’t allow an equalizer, making six saves in the win.
“We got a lot of reward for what we put in over the last few weeks,” Adrian Heath said. “It was a monumental effort against a really well organized, aggressive and athletic team. I am pleased to be sitting here with three points.”
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: M - Rasmus Schuller
- International duty: None
- Injury Report: OUT: M - Sam Cronin (cervicogenic dysfunction), M - Kevin Molino (torn left ACL), M - Ethan Finlay (torn ACL), D - Jerome Thiesson (right leg injury); QUESTIONABLE: D - Marc Burch (left knee injury), F - Abu Danladi (left leg injury), D - Eric Miller (left hamstring injury)
Projected Starting XI
(3-5-2, right to left)
GK: Bobby Shuttleworth — Michael Boxall, Brent Kallman, Francisco Calvo — Miguel Ibarra, Ibson, Collen Warner, Rasmus Schuller, Alexi Gomez — Christian Ramirez, Darwin Quintero
- Notes: Minnesota have won three straight MLS home games – their longest such streak in league play, scoring nine goals in the three matches. They had nine goals in their previous eight home matches. … Quintero is averaging 1.1 goals+assists per game since the beginning of June. Among players who have made at least five appearances, only five have a better average in that time.
LAFC
LAFC’s remarkable march in the U.S. Open Cup continues to the semifinals following a 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium.
A David Guzman own goal put the hosts in front in the 33rd minute and Carlos Vela doubled the lead for LAFC (10-4-5) five minutes later. Julio Cascante pulled Portland to within a goal in first-half stoppage time. Marco Urena and Vytas exchanged goals one minute apart early in the second half, as LAFC held on for the victory.
“Seeing Carlos [Vela], Dio [Adama Diomande], and Benny [Feilhaber] be smart about holding onto the ball and playing it into the corner a little bit, it’s a good way to finish the game.” Bob Bradley said. “I think the guys know that we haven’t done that well enough so tonight is something that we feel good about.”
- Suspended: M - Lee Nguyen
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
- Injury Report: OUT: GK - Quillan Roberts (right fibular fracture), M - Eduard Atuesta (left ankle sprain)
Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3, right to left)
GK: Tyler Miller — Steven Beitashour, Walker Zimmerman, Laurent Ciman, Jordan Harvey — Benny Feilhaber, Andre Horta, Carlos Vela — Latif Blessing, Adama Diomande, Diego Rossi
- Notes: LAFC are undefeated in their last six league games (4W-2D), though they did see their run of 14 games with a goal snapped in their 0-0 draw against Portland last weekend. They had averaged 3.2 goals in the five games before the scoreless draw. … Diomande (seven) and Latif Blessing (six) are two of four players with 6+ goals+assists in the month of July.
All-Time Series
- This is the second all-time meeting with LAFC defeating Minnesota United FC, 2-0, on May 9
Officials
Referee: Ted Unkel
Assistant Referees: Adam Wienckowski, Jeremy Kieso
4th Official: Robert Sibiga
VAR: Armando Villarreal