LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Sunday’s edition of MLS After Dark features Los Angeles FC hosting Minnesota United. Both teams were coming off three game winning streaks, including U.S. Open Cup. The Loons had re-found their offense. LAFC last week had come-from-behind win against FC Cincinnati.
Ryan Hollingshead lifts LAFC past Minnesota United in 2-0 win
The first half had good a good pace to it, but was lacking in high quality chances. Cristian Arango perhaps had the best look at goal in the 35th minute on a header from a Carlos Vela corner.
Both teams created more clear cut chances in the second half. Robin Lod had two good looks for Minnesota, the better coming in the 57th minute. Oniel Fisher found him in the center of the box but the shot was blocked.
Kwadwo Opoku had the chance of the game early in the second half. Arango shot from outside of the box. It appeared to be deflected by a Minnesota defender. The ball went off the post with goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair diving the other way. Onside, Opoku ran onto the rebound with an open goal but he put it over the bar.
LAFC pushed for a winner as Minnesota prioritized transition play. At one point, they were outshooting the visitors two to one but with just two shots on goal. Arango in particular had multiple looks but could not get his shot on target.
After a great save by St. Clair on Kellyn Acosta, LAFC won a decisive corner in the 83rd minute. The cross was deflected in the middle of the box for Ryan Hollingshead to volley it into the bottom right corner.
Jose Cifuentes secured the win just into stoppage time. Diego Palacios found space on the edge of the box then found Cifu in the box, who directed the ball into the open net. The match ended 2-0.
👏 @LAFC showed why they’re No. 1 in the West with 2️⃣ impressive late goals to take the the W over MNUFC
Relive all the action in our 90′ in 90″ ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Z4KLpkGcE0
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 2, 2022
Three Key Takeaways:
Chances, late finishing: Both teams got the ball into good areas. Both struggled to create goal dangerous shots. LAFC created more of those moments and their moments were better. In that, they deserved to win.
Substitutes keep it going: Ryan Hollingshead and Jose Cifuentes scored the seventh and eight substitute goals of the year for LAFC. Steve Cherundolo’s made the right changes tactically and personnel wise in the second half.
Loons hang in, come up short: Minnesota was not great attacking wise. That fell off compared to recent games. They hung in there but there was only one team looking like a winner in the second half: LAFC.
