Pair of late goals send LAFC past Minnesota United

Minnesota United came to Banc of California Stadium in the slanted California sun Sunday evening seeking another result from one of MLS' best teams.

The Loons left lamenting opportunity squandered in a 2-0 loss to Los Angeles FC.

LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead's volley strike off a caroming corner kick in the 82nd-minute was the only goal the home team needed to move back atop the Supporters' Shield standings for MLS' best record, now at 7-1-1.

It got another one anyway when midfielder Jose Cifuentes' goal in the 90^th minute made it a two-goal final margin.

The Loons had their opportunities to score first, particularly Robin Lod's right-footed shot from close range that sailed over an open net in the 48^th minute.

Until Sunday, the Loons had been unbeaten in their past five games against LAFC, dating to Los Angeles' first MLS season in 2018. Until Sunday, the Loons had allowed more than one goal only once in its first eight games.

Sunday's loss came on a night when Loons coach Adrian Heath remade his starting 11 out of necessity and strategy.

None of it produced a goal — or a result — against an LAFC team that presses its opponents high in its own end and on Sunday mounted increasing pressure as the game went on.

"We made poor choices with the ball most of the evening," Heath said afterward. "First half, we had four or five glorious opportunities if we had picked the right pass and we didn't. In second half, we did the same. That has been our biggest problem."

Neither team had allowed a goal in the final 30 minutes of a game all season. LAFC hadn't done so in the entire second half and still hasn't, not after the Loons were shut out for the second time in nine games.

The Loons' late-game defense this time surrendered two goals in the final 17 minutes. It all ended when Hollingshead swiped with a volley shot from inside the 6-yard box that had bounced off a head or two before it came right to his right leg.

That was all LAFC needed against a Loons team that had been 2-0-3 against it since 2018.

"It's a good chance," Heath said. "He doesn't mean to miss it. When you come to a place like this you have to take them opportunities when they arise. You can't squander opportunities. We've had a couple good results here in the past, but we've scored when them opportunities and them moments have come our way.

"Tonight, we didn't."

The Loons flew to Los Angeles on Friday afternoon, trained there on Saturday and played Sunday night. That's a day earlier than they do in other time zones.

It also got the Loons out of Minnesota's cold April winter and into the warm California sun. The high Sunday was 74 and it was mid-60s by kickoff.

"Hopefully we can bring some of the L.A. weather back with us," said Loons goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who made six saves to one that LAFC needed from its keeper, Maxime Crepeau.