Minnesota United handed LAFC their first home loss in the 2019 MLS regular season, as a Mason Toye first-half brace was the difference in a 2-0 win at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday night.
The victory bumped the Loons up to third place in the Western Conference standings, while the Black & Gold are still comfortably in pole position for the Supporters’ Shield.
Sitting deep, the Loons first capitalized on a counterattack in the 25th minute. Toye, called up this week to the US U-23 men’s national team, curled a left-footed shot into the far-side netting from a tight angle. He was played through by midfielder Jan Gregus.
Minnesota then made it 2-0 in the 29th minute, as Toye laced home a left-footed shot from 25 yards out. His long-range strike evaded a diving Pablo Sisniega and gave Minnesota a lead they would never relinquish.
LAFC played without Carlos Vela, who’s working his way back to full health from a hamstring injury sustained in last weekend’s El Trafico draw vs. the LA Galaxy. Minnesota, meanwhile, were without center mid Osvaldo Alonso and played with five in the back.
If it weren’t for Minnesota goalkeeper Vito Mannone, LAFC would have found a breakthrough. The Italian finished with eight saves, thwarting a home side that finished with 77 percent of the possession.
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Goals
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: After losing midweek to Atlanta United in the U.S. Open Cup final, Minnesota could have sulked into Banc of California Stadium knowing an automatic Concacaf Champions League bid proved elusive. They did the exact opposite and executed their game plan to perfection. For LAFC, they’re simply a different beast without Carlos Vela. Bob Bradley’s team wasn’t poor by any means, but also got shutout for the first time since June 28 at Colorado.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The opener from Mason Toye shocked the home crowd and set the tone for an opportunistic, disciplined performance from the Loons. It ended up being one of two left-footed beauties from the young striker.
- MAN OF THE MATCH. Could it really have been anyone else? Mason Toye’s brace came on the heels of a call-up to the US U-23 men’s national team, giving him six goals and three assists in just under 500 minutes played this season.
Next Up
- LAFC: Saturday, Sept. 7 at Orlando City SC (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada)
- MIN: Wednesday, Sept. 11 vs. Houston Dynamo (8:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada)
