Greg Vanney believes that his Los Angeles Galaxy team is becoming increasingly cohesive as they strive to improve their chances of making the MLS playoffs against Minnesota United.
In their last match, the Galaxy settled for a 1-1 draw with the Seattle Sounders at home, where Marco Reus scored a penalty right before halftime but saw it answered by Paul Arriola’s equalizer in the 81st minute.
As a result, the Galaxy are currently in 10th place in the Western Conference, just outside the wildcard positions due to goal difference, and trailing the Colorado Rapids by five points for the seventh spot.
Despite securing only one win in their last five games prior to the match at Allianz Field, Coach Vanney remains optimistic about his team’s potential for postseason play.
After the draw against the Sounders, he remarked, “We need to capitalize on our opportunities and maintain consistency throughout the game.”
“However, I can sense a different rhythm and improved mobility within the group, so it’s crucial for the players to connect better and sharpen their precision—this will be essential.”
Minnesota United sits just one point and two places below the Galaxy, making this match pivotal for their own playoff ambitions.
In their previous game, Minnesota fell 4-2 to St. Louis City SC despite taking an early lead through Tomas Chancalay.
They played the final stretch a man down after Kyle Duncan received a red card, but Coach Cameron Knowles has noticed a strong willingness to improve during training.
“I discussed with the team the need for intensity, particularly when we’re defending our half. You could see a surge in energy in the second half, even while being a man short,” he expressed.
“The players returned to training today full of energy and ready to battle for the weekend.”
Tails of The Galaxy with Elijah Wynder
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— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) September 14, 2026
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Minnesota United – Joaquin Pereyra
Joaquin Pereyra is a significant threat for Minnesota, recently recording his 10th assist of the regular season against St. Louis.
This achievement places him among the elite in Minnesota’s history, joining Robin Lod (13 assists in 2024) and Darwin Quintero (12 assists in 2018) in hitting double digits in a single season.
LA Galaxy – Marco Reus
At 37, Marco Reus continues to be a key player for the Galaxy, having had a remarkable career.
His successful penalty last weekend means he has converted all three attempts this season; the last Galaxy player to achieve a perfect record from the spot on three or more tries in a single season was Sacha Kljestan in 2021.
MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA UNITED VICTORY
Choosing a winner isn’t straightforward, but both teams are in need of a victory to boost their playoff hopes.
With the advantage of playing at home, Minnesota is favored to win, having previously beaten the Galaxy earlier in the season—marking their first victory over them since 2023.
The Loons have never managed to sweep the season series, while the Galaxy achieved this feat in Minnesota’s inaugural MLS season back in 2017.
Though Minnesota has struggled at home recently, allowing multiple goals in three consecutive matches, the Galaxy’s poor away record could be a decisive factor.
This season, they have only secured three wins on the road, with four draws and six losses. Since the start of last season, they’ve managed just three away victories in 30 regular-season matches, tied for the fewest wins among any team in that span.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Minnesota United – 56.4%
Draw – 21.7%
LA Galaxy – 21.9%
The matchup between LA Galaxy and Minnesota United is critical not just for playoff positioning but also for building team momentum as the season nears its conclusion. For soccer fans, this game is a microcosm of the excitement and unpredictability that MLS offers, with stakes high for both teams’ futures.
Source: www.soccernews.com
