Minnesota United’s effort to climb the Western Conference standings on Decision Day started off as poorly as possible Saturday night.
The fourth-place Loons trailed last-place Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 at halftime at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., with center back Morris Duggan coming off with apparent leg injury.
Plus, United wasn’t getting any help from either LAFC and San Diego — the second- and third-place teams — as both had 1-0 leads at the break.
And the situation continued to sour in the second half. MNUFC lost 2-1 to Galaxy, had to settle for a fourth-place finish and will face fifth-place Seattle Sounders in a MLS Cup Playoffs first-round series starting in late October.
Minnesota set a club record with 16th wind this season, but has fallen off that high-flying pace with only one win in its last four games since its crash out of the U.S. Open Cup semifinals Sept. 17.
On Saturday, the Loons gave up goals to Matheus Nascimento in the first half and Joseph Paintsil in the second half.
One silver lining is top striker Kelvin Yeboah returned to the field after missing three full games since the Open Cup defeat to Austin a month ago. He came in as a sub in the 77th minute.
Loons midfielder Joaquin Pereyra took a corner kick and was credited for a goal that trickled in late in stoppage time.
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