Deadspin: Minnesota United Tries to Stay Alive Against Playoff-Bound LAFC

LAFC earns playoff place

LAFC secured a postseason berth with a 2-2 draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy last Sunday, coming back from two goals down. Denis Bouanga scored in the 53rd minute, and Leo Walta equalized nine minutes later.

LAFC pressed for a late winner, but a goal-bound sequence was ruled out after Aaron Long was called offside. The club is 1-0-3 under interim head coach Xavi Tamarit and sits four points short of fourth place in the Western Conference, with two matches left. Bouanga, who leads LAFC with 18 goals, said the club believes it can make an impact in the playoffs.

Minnesota faces elimination scenarios

Minnesota United has 38 points, with a record of 9-12-11. It cannot clinch a playoff spot on Sunday, and a loss or draw against LAFC would eliminate it in the simplest scenario.

Recent results revive hopes

After losing all five matches in September, Minnesota improved to 2-0-3 in October and kept an outside chance of reaching the playoffs. Its latest result was a 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday.

Minnesota fell behind in the 70th minute before Anthony Markanich, Mauricio Gonzalez and Kelvin Yeboah scored. Yeboah leads the team with 18 goals. Coach Cameron Knowles said Minnesota no longer controls its place in the standings and must rely on other results, but can control how it finishes its games. He said the second-half response against Kansas City should carry into the final two matches.