Two teams trying to improve their playoff chances met in Minnesota on Saturday evening.
After 90 minutes were up in St. Paul, not much had changed between LAFC and Minnesota United. Minnesota solidified its hold above the playoff line while LAFC, despite still being on the outside looking in, can take some solace in getting its fourth point in one week following its 1-1 draw at Allianz Field.
“To play in Minnesota and get a point, we’re obviously happy about that,” LAFC’s Raheem Edwards said. “We wanted three points, we’re at a crucial time now that points are needed, but all-in-all, two away games, four road points, we can be content with that.”
Christian Arango continued his hot streak for LAFC, as he scored his 11th goal of the season in just 13 games, but Minnesota got a second half strike from Osvaldo Alonso that enabled Minnesota (12-10-9, 45 points) to remain above the playoff line, while LAFC (11-12-8, 41 points) is three points shy of the Vancouver Whitecaps for the seventh and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Minnesota started out as the aggressors on offense to start the match, as they created a fleury of chances, but could not get anything past the goal line. LAFC made Minnesota pay for those missed chances in the 32d minute, as they won a free kick from about 23 yards out when Brian Rodriguez was tripped from behind by Will Trapp. Arango sent the free kick right at goal, and it looked like an easy save for keeper Tyler Miller, but the ball went through Miller’s hands and went into the back net to gift LAFC the lead. LAFC had a chance in stoppage time to add to its lead, as Raheem Edwards sprung Rodriguez with a ball to the left side, Rodriguez crossed into the penalty area, Arango one-timed a shot on goal, but Miller came through this time with the save.
Minnesota was able to push across an equalizer in similar fashion. Minnesota had a free kick almost exactly at the same spot that LAFC scored their goal. Emmanuel Reynoso sent the free kick at goal, and unlike Miller, Jamal Blackman parried the ball away from goal, but not far enough, and Alonso capitalized, as he swooped in and buried the rebound chance to level matters.
“I told the team ‘keep going, you guys have stuck together even when things haven’t been perfect tonight lets take that point and and use it in a good way, make sure that point counts in a good way at the end of the year'” LAFC head coach Bob Bradley said.
LAFC now braces for a crucial game on Tuesday night, as they host the first-place Seattle Sounders at Banc of California Stadium on Tuesday.
