Loons fall in trap to Los Angeles in 1-0 loss

Los Angeles FC coach Steve Cherundolo dared Minnesota United to break them down at Allianz Field on Wednesday LAFC deviated from its usual four-man back line and employed a five-man group to force the possession-challenged Loons to sum in an area they are least effective open play United had only three low-quality scoring chances in the match while LAFC rode a Denis Bouanga penalty kick in the first half for a - win in St Paul When MNUFC s league-leading goals on set pieces dried up and scarce opportunities were presented on counter attacks Minnesota had to resort to the most-traditional yet uncomfortable-to-them path to stake a rare comeback With a league-low possession coming into the match Minnesota had of the ball against LAFC Loons coach Eric Ramsay tried to counter Cherundolo by subbing wingbacks Joseph Rosales and Julian Gressel for attacking width in the nd minute Minnesota had more possession in the opponent s box but didn t really challenge Hugo Lloris With the domination LAFC - - points gains ground on MNUFC - - points in the Western Conference standings LAFC played its first challenge without captain center back Aaron Long who ruptured his Achilles tendon against Dallas on Saturday but produced its third straight shutout Bouanga nearly had a second goal after he put Gressel in a blender for a breakaway but Dayne St Clair made a crucial save in stoppage time The Loons lineup was noted to be a - - with defensive midfielders in Robin Lod and Wil Trapp and attacking midfielders in Joaqu n Pereyra Tani Oluwaseyi and striker Kelvin Yeboah Three tidbits Sam Shashoua is headed out on loan with an unnamed USL Championship side The attacking midfielder already has his U S Green Card so his move doesn t create much more roster flexibility The -year-old Englishman is under a club option for The Loons wore their Heritage Kit a throwback to the Minnesota Kicks for the first of four times on Wednesday It appears the move of left wingback Joseph Rosales to Mexican club Tigres has been called off Related Articles Loons vs Los Angeles FC Keys to the match storylines and a prediction Loons looking to send two players to St Louis Minnesota United beats San Jose to move into second in West Loons vs San Jose Keys to the match storylines and a prediction Loons advance to U S Open Cup semifinal with - win over Chicago Fire