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MINNEAPOLIMEDIA SPORTS | Late Galaxy Comeback Sends Minnesota United to Fourth Consecutive Loss
ST. PAUL, MN (September 21, 2026). Minnesota United surrendered a second-half lead and lost 3-2 to the LA Galaxy at Allianz Field Saturday, extending a damaging four-match losing streak as the club struggles to remain within reach of the Major League Soccer playoffs.
The Loons appeared positioned to halt their slide after Marcus Caldeira and Kelvin Yeboah erased an early Galaxy advantage and sent Minnesota into halftime with a 2-1 lead. But two substitutes changed the match during the final 15 minutes.
João Klauss equalized for Los Angeles in the 76th minute, and Marco Reus scored the winning goal four minutes later. The result left Minnesota with a 7-11-8 record and 29 points, while the Galaxy improved to 8-10-9 with 33 points.
The loss was particularly costly because the clubs entered the weekend separated by one point and competing in the crowded lower half of the Western Conference playoff race. Instead of moving ahead of Los Angeles, Minnesota remained below the postseason line with eight regular-season matches remaining.
The Galaxy opened the scoring in the 12th minute after Anthony Markanich fouled Kyōgo Furuhashi just outside the Minnesota penalty area. Pablo Ruiz curled the resulting left-footed free kick over the defensive wall and into the upper-right corner.
It was Ruiz’s first goal for the Galaxy and his first MLS goal since June 2023. Los Angeles acquired him from Real Salt Lake on September 3 in exchange for $400,000 in 2027 general allocation money.
Minnesota responded in the 23rd minute. Wil Trapp delivered a cross from the right side toward Caldeira, who headed the ball over Galaxy goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski to tie the match.
The goal was also Minnesota United’s 300th home goal across all competitions.
The Loons went ahead seven minutes later after Jakob Glesnes brought down Markanich inside the penalty area. Yeboah converted the penalty with a low shot into the bottom-left corner for his 14th regular-season goal.
Yeboah has scored in three consecutive matches and has produced six goals during his past six appearances. His latest goal tied Christian Ramirez’s 2017 mark for the most regular-season goals by a Minnesota United player in a single MLS campaign.
Minnesota carried the lead into halftime for the first time since its Matchday 22 victory over San Jose. The Loons created additional second-half opportunities but were unable to extend their advantage.
Galaxy coach Greg Vanney changed the match by introducing Reus and Klauss in the 59th minute. The two immediately placed Minnesota’s defense under pressure.
Reus created the equalizer from a free kick near the left end line in the 76th minute. Klauss met the delivery at the near post and directed a header across the goal and into the far side of the net.
Four minutes later, Robert Taylor released Lucas Calegari along the right side. Calegari sent a first-time cross into the penalty area, where Reus redirected the ball past goalkeeper Drake Callender for a 3-2 Galaxy lead.
Minnesota made late substitutions and pushed forward for an equalizer, but the Galaxy protected the advantage through the final whistle.
The defeat extended Minnesota’s losing streak to four matches and its overall winless run to five. It also continued a prolonged inability to win at Allianz Field, where the Loons have not recorded a league victory since April.
Minnesota had 15 shots, including five on target. Los Angeles recorded 17 shots and also placed five on goal. The Galaxy held 55.5% of possession and earned nine corner kicks compared with five for Minnesota.
Marcinkowski made three saves for Los Angeles, while Callender stopped two shots for the Loons.
Minnesota played without veteran defender Michael Boxall, who was unavailable because of yellow-card accumulation. Kyle Duncan was included in the starting lineup after a suspension resulting from two yellow cards in the previous match was rescinded.
Morris Duggan started in the center of Minnesota’s reshaped defense alongside Nicolás Romero and Carlos Harvey.
The first-half production from Caldeira and Yeboah demonstrated that Minnesota can generate scoring opportunities, but the inability to protect another lead added to concerns about a defense that has become increasingly vulnerable during the losing streak.
The Galaxy victory also showed the importance of roster depth late in the season. Reus and Klauss entered together shortly before the hour mark and combined directly on the equalizer before Reus scored the decisive goal.
Minnesota’s next match will be another consequential Western Conference contest against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, September 26, at Lumen Field. Seattle is among the clubs Minnesota must overtake to move back into playoff position.
With eight matches remaining, the Loons must reverse their current form quickly. Minnesota has remained capable of scoring, particularly through Yeboah, but four consecutive defeats have reduced the club’s margin for error during the final stretch of the regular season.
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