LAFC falls to Minnesota, misses chance to host first-round playoff match
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Joaquín Pereyra scored two goals, defender Cherrion Valerius scored the first of his career and Minnesota United kept its postseason hopes alive with a 3-1 victory over LAFC on Sunday night.
Minnesota (10-12-11) pulled within two points of a Western Conference postseason berth with one match remaining.
LAFC (12-10-11) had already clinched a playoff spot but missed a chance to finish in the top four and earn home-field advantage in the best-of-three first round.
Pereyra gave Minnesota the lead in the 29th minute — unassisted off a throw-in.
Leo Walta scores the tying goal in the 62nd minute as LAFC clinches a playoff spot in a 2-2 El Tráfico draw with the rival Galaxy.
Valerius made it 2-0 in the 34th with his first goal in his sixth MLS appearance. Kelvin Yeboah notched his career-high fifth assist in his second full season and defender Nectarios Triantis collected his third after getting his first two in five appearances last year.
Pereyra used an assist from rookie forward Mauricio González — his second — to score for the fifth time this season and up the advantage to 3-0 in the 81st minute.
LAFC (12-10-11) avoided a shutout on an unassisted goal by Sergio Vásquez in the final minute of regulation. It was his first netter in his sixth MLS appearance.
Drake Callender saved six shots for Minnesota United.
Hugo Lloris did not have a save for LAFC, which saw a four-match unbeaten streak end.
Minnesota ended St. Louis City’s MLS single-season record-tying 19-match unbeaten streak with a 3-2 victory in mid-October and went 2-0-3 during the month to get back into the playoff chase.
LAFC posted a 1-0 win in Minnesota in late April.
LAFC drops to 9-4-4 at home, while Minnesota improves to 6-7-4 on the road.
Up next for LAFC: at Seattle Sounders to end the regular season on Saturday.
