Minnesota won at Los Angeles FC on six shots and a quick start

Minnesota United beat Los Angeles FC 3-1 after scoring twice inside the first 35 minutes, with far fewer chances than they usually create away.

Minnesota United were two goals up by the 34th minute, and for most of the rest of the night they had little need to test Los Angeles FC. Joaquín Pereyra put them ahead at 29, and Cherrion Valerius doubled the lead five minutes later, with Kelvin Yeboah providing the assist. Minnesota finished with six shots in the whole game, against an average of 15 for their away matches, and still took the points. Los Angeles FC had most of the shooting, yet the goals did not follow.

Los Angeles FC had 49% of the ball and a healthy count of shots, which looks like a home side on top. Measured against their own season, though, the ball was only slightly above their home average of 45.9%, and their shots were a little above their usual 13.1 per match. The harder question is quality. Expected goals, or xG, gives each shot a value based on how often chances of that kind go in, and Los Angeles FC's total came to 0.58, well below their home average of 1.21. Eleven of their shots came from outside the box, which is the main reason the total stayed low.

Minnesota's chances were thin by their own standard. Their xG came to 0.68, against an away average of 1.97, and only three of their six shots were on target. They had 51% of the ball, a touch above their usual away figure, yet the possession did little with it. What they did have, they used well, and turning that small amount of chance quality into three goals is the real story of the night.

Los Angeles FC scored once, against a home average of 1.3 goals per match. The four goals in the game came against a league average of 3.3 per match, so it was a busier night in front of goal than the division usually produces. Only one of those four went the home side's way, and it came late.

Pereyra scored twice, and his second, at 81, was set up by Mauricio González Carabalí. Sergio Vasquez got Los Angeles FC's only goal at 89, which was too late to change the outcome. Minnesota's goalkeeper, D. Callender, kept out several of the six shots that were on target for the home side, and that was the difference between a close finish and a comfortable margin for the visitors.

Los Angeles FC sit sixth in the table at home with 47 points from 32 matches, while Minnesota United are thirteenth away with 38 from the same number of games. Minnesota have won two of their last six away matches. Los Angeles FC have drawn three of their last six at home.

Player of the matchJ. Pereyra2 goals8.4

S. Vasquez1 goal7.5

Cherrion Valerius1 goal7.4

K. Yeboah1 assist7.0