MLS: Breaking down the Western Conference Playoffs
By Matt Coles
[4] Minnesota United
Minnesota United had second place in the West palm of their hands right up to Decision Day but a defeat to the Seattle Sounders on the final day of the regular season saw them drop down to fourth. Most importantly, though, Minnesota were able to hold on to home-field advantage for the first round.
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This will be the first time that the Loons have appeared in the playoffs, although that looked like a distant possibility after their poor start to the campaign. Minnesota only managed to win six of their first 16 league games, having lost away at the Galaxy, New England, Toronto and Chicago in the first three months of the season. A run of three defeats in May-June saw them drop into the lower reaches of the Western Conference.
However, the Loons then only lost four more times in the second half of the season and went on an unbeaten run of seven games to start their run up the table. They eventually secured their postseason berth with two games to go, thanks to a victory over Sporting KC, but only managing one point from their last two matches saw them drop down to fourth.
They still have a home tie in the first round of the postseason, with the LA Galaxy being the visitors. Will the Loons be able to win their first playoff clash? If so, how deep into the postseason can they go?
First Round Fixture – Sunday 20th – 20:30 ET:
[4] Minnesota United v [5] Los Angeles Galaxy