Vanney convinced Galaxy are more coherent as play-off push heads to Minnesota

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Greg Vanney is convinced his Los Angeles Galaxy side are becoming more coherent as a unit as they look to enhance their MLS play-off hopes at Minnesota United.

The Galaxy were held to a 1-1 draw on home turf by Seattle Sounders last time out, as Marco Reus’ penalty just before half-time was cancelled out by Paul Arriola’s 81st-minute equaliser.

Consequently, the Galaxy sit 10th in the Western Conference standings, outside the wildcard spots on goal difference and five back of the Colorado Rapids in seventh.

They have just one win from their past five outings ahead of the trip to Allianz Field, but head coach Vanney has seen enough to think his side can make the postseason.

Speaking after the Sounders draw, he said: “We have to take advantage of our chances and play clean for 90 minutes.

“But I feel like there’s a different kind of rhythm and different mobility in the group now, so now it’s just about guys getting better connected and more precise, that is going to be the key.”

Minnesota are one point and two spots adrift of Galaxy in what looks a crucial contest for their own play-off hopes.

Last time out they were beaten 4-2 at St. Louis City SC despite taking a fifth-minute lead through Tomas Chancalay.

United played out the last 10 minutes with 10 men after Kyle Duncan was sent off, but head coach Cameron Knowles has seen his players ready to give their all in training.

“I was just talking to my guys about intensity and moments when we’re defending our own half, I think you saw in the second half a change in intensity and when we were down a man,” he said.

“You see the energy from the guys when they came back in today, ready to work, ready to fight, and ready to go for the weekend.”

Tails of The Galaxy with Elijah Wynder

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) September 14, 2026

Minnesota United – Joaquin Pereyra

Joaquin Pereyra is a real danger for Minnesota, and provided his 10th assist of the regular season last time out against St. Louis.

Consequently, he is the third player in Minnesota history to record 10-plus assists in a single season, joining Robin Lod in 2024 (13) and Darwin Quintero in 2018 (12).

Marco Reus is still proving to be the Galaxy’s main threat at the age of 37, after a distinguished playing career.

His penalty last weekend improved his record from the spot to three from three in the regular season. The last Galaxy player to be perfect from the spot on at least three attempts in a single regular season was Sacha Kljestan (four-for-four) in 2021.

MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA UNITED WIN

Picking a winner in this one is not so straight-forward, but both teams could certainly do with the victory to enhance their play-off aspirations.

Given they have home advantage, Minnesota are being tipped for victory, and they did defeat LA Galaxy in the first contest between the teams back in April – their first win against them in any match since 2023.

The Loons have never swept the season series, while the Galaxy did achieve the feat in Minnesota’s first MLS season back in 2017.

United’s last three home matches have been a pair of 2-1 losses to FC Dallas and Atlanta United, and a 3-3 draw with Orlando City SC. 

It represents the first time they have allowed multiple goals in three straight home MLS matches within a single season.

However, Galaxy’s away form does not make for great reading, which is why they might come up short here.

They have just three wins on the road this season, drawing four and losing six. Moreover, they have just three wins away from home in their 30 regular-season matches since the beginning of last season.

The Galaxy’s three road regular-season wins over the last two seasons are tied with Atlanta United for fewest by any team in that span.

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