Minnesota United Wins First Home Game of 2024, Defeats LAFC 2-0

March 17, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Minnesota United FC News Release

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota United captured its first home victory of 2024 – and notably the first win under new Head Coach Eric Ramsay – defeating the Los Angeles Football Club 2-0 on the backs of goals scored by Robin Lod and Bongokuhle Hlongwane. With the three points, the Loons stand in first place in the Western Conference with 10 points and a 3-0-1 (W-L-D) unbeaten record.

7′ – LAFC’s striker Denis Bouanga attempted a dangerous right-footed shot towards an empty goal, but his shot went over the crossbar.

16′ – MNUFC midfielder Robin Lod scored the first goal of the match. Loons forward Sang Bin curved the ball into the box off a set piece where LAFC defender Jesús Murillo’s failed clearance landed at Lod’s feet, leading to him slotting the ball past LAFC’s goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

21′ – MNUFC defender DJ Taylor was looking to extend the lead and fired a shot through LAFC’s defense but was deflected by a handball outside the box to earn the Loons a freekick. Hassani Dotson took the freekick, but his shot was blocked by LAFC’s wall.

42′ – Defender Michael Boxall cleared LAFC’s cross off a freekick, hitting the ball over the crossbar with his shin, after Eduard Atuesta tried to find defender Ryan Hollingshead inside the box.

52′ – Loons’ defender Miguel Tapias, alone in MNUFC’S half, tried to win the ball out of the air with two LAFC defenders on his back. Tapias fought for possession of the loose ball when LAFC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz ran onto the ball for a shot on goal. Dayne St. Clair deflects the shot off his shin, keeping the score 1-0 for the Loons.

54′ – Minnesota had an easy shot on goal after Lod dribbled up the pitch laying it off to Teemu Pukki where the ball then ping-ponged between players, finding Dotson outside the 18-yard line. Unmarked, he lined up for a shot on goal which was saved by LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

74′ – St. Clair saved yet another shot on goal after Bouanga made a run up the left side of the pitch, laying it off to Cristian Olivera for a shot on goal.

88′ – Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored the second goal for MNUFC, capitalizing off a mistake made by LAFC. Tapias cleared the ball long up the pitch, in which the ball bounced over LAFC’s backline. Hlongwane ran in behind, beating Omar Campos to the ball. Lloris off his line faced the South African one-on-one, but Hlongwane slipped the ball behind and found the back of the net to double the Loons’…