Three victories from the sixth MLS Cup title in franchise history, the Los Angeles Galaxy will play host to Minnesota United on Sunday in the Western Conference semifinals at Carson, Calif.
Now in single-elimination mode, the MLS Cup playoffs resume after both teams have been away for three weeks because of the long international break.
The Galaxy advanced after two blowout victories in a best-of-three series against the Colorado Rapids, winning 5-0 at home Oct. 26 and 4-1 at Colorado on Nov. 1. Los Angeles midfielder Riqui Puig scored two goals in each victory.
Minnesota United also won the first two games in their series against Real Salt Lake in a much different fashion. The Loons won twice in a penalty shootout after a scoreless tie on the road Oct. 29 and again after a 1-1 tie Nov. 2 at home.
The Galaxy’s five titles are the most in MLS history, but they haven’t won it all since 2014.
Puig keyed the club’s revival with 13 goals and 15 assists in the regular season. Gabriel Pec scored 16 goals in the regular season and won MLS Newcomer of the Year. Former super-sub Dejan Joveljic had 15 goals while making 23 starts in 28 games.
Los Angeles led the Western Conference with 69 regular-season goals and was third in the league behind the Columbus Crew (72) and Inter Miami (79).
There might be more recognizable players on the world stage who are favored to win the MLS MVP award, but the Galaxy are right where they want to be with Puig.
“He’s an important player for us,” Los Angeles head coach Greg Vanney said of Puig. “He drives our team from possessions to attacks. He finishes things for us. I think Riqui, on any day, will trade the opportunity to win an MLS Cup before an MVP trophy.”
Joseph Rosales scored the only goal for Minnesota United in 180 minutes of regulation time in their first-round series. Jeong Sang-Bin scored the deciding goal in the Nov. 2 penalty shootout and goalie Dayne St. Clair emerged a hero in goal.
“It depends on everybody’s perspective (but) I don’t call myself an underdog,” Minnesota United forward Kelvin Yeboah said. “… In training, we have a lot of passion, we fight against each other, we fight with the coaches, we fight against everybody and when we get on the pitch, we bring the same fight.”
Bongokuhle Hlongwane led the Loons with 11 goals in the regular season, while Tani Oluwaseyi scored eight goals with six assists and Robin Lod paired his seven goals with a team-leading 15 helpers.
–Field Level Media
