By Victor Araiza
Minnesota United FC will seek to book its place in the Knockout Round as they host the eliminated Atlético San Luis at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
HEAD TO HEAD
- First-ever meeting
- Record at Leagues Cup: Minnesota United FC (5-4), Atlético de San Luis (1-5)
LAST FIVE GAMES
- Minnesota United
- 2 Wins, 1 Draw, 2 Losses
- Had a convincing 4-1 win over Querétaro to open the tournament, but then lost to América in penalties on game 2.
- Atlético San Luis
- 2 Wins, 0 Draws, 3 Losses
- Suffered a devastating 4-0 loss in their opening game vs Portland, but managed to get two points in their PK win over Real Salt Lake.
MAIN STORYLINES
- How will The Loons respond after the emotional rollercoaster of giving up a 90th minute equalizer, and losing on PKs, to América after leading for most of the match?
- Minnesota United sits in 4th place in the MLS table thanks in part to a hefty goal total; their seven goals scored is second only to Seattle in Leagues Cup 2025.
- Bongokuhle Hlongwane already has two goals this tournament and nine total in Leagues Cup, 3rd most all-time behind Bouanga and Messi.
- Atlético de San Luis got their first ever Leagues Cup in penalties over Real Salt Lake, and they will now go for first outright victory.
- João Pedro is off to a fantastic start with his new team, he has three goals in four appearances (2 in Leagues Cup)
KEY FACTORS
- Minnesota Unted
- The Loons have only lost three encounters at Allianz Field this season.
- It's not just Hlongwane who is hot on offense, Tani Oluwaseyi enters the game with goals in consecutive games.
- Joaquín Pereyra assisted the three MNUFC goals against América and leads the tournament in assists.
- Atlético San Luis
- Andrés Sánchez had a standout performance with a penalty save in regulation and another in the penalty shootout.
- João Pedro, Mateo Klimowicz, Sébastien Salles-Lamonge and Juan Manuel Sanabria are all players capable of generating goals for the Potosinos.
- Miguel García came off the bench to score his first goal with San Luis will likely be one of the second half reinforcements.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Minnesota United FC, chasing their first top-division trophy, takes on Atlético de San Luis as they aim to take a significant step forward on Wednesday night by clinching a spot in the Leagues Cup Quarterfinal.
The Loons arrive in a more favorable position, sitting fourth in the MLS Phase One standings with four points. Their campaign began in dominant fashion with a 4-1 win over Querétaro. However, their second match ended in frustration after they failed to close out Club América. Despite leading the 16-time Liga MX champions for most of the match—and playing with a man advantage from the 62nd minute—Minnesota conceded a late equalizer and eventually lost 8-7 in penalties.
“I think it’s been the case with both of the Mexican teams we’ve faced so far—and I’m sure it will be with San Luis as well—that the games are difficult to prepare for based on the tactical changes the opposition makes,” said Minnesota head coach Eric Ramsay. “The approach we’ve taken, and will take again tomorrow, is to really focus on us. We’re a team very focused on being the best version of ourselves. If we can hit our markers, we believe we’ll be a real match for anyone in this competition.”
Atlético de San Luis, meanwhile, enters with two points following a dramatic outing against Real Salt Lake. The Potosinos were moments away from securing a win in regulation before conceding a late equalizer. They ultimately triumphed in the penalty shootout, 4-1.
It was a much-needed boost for San Luis, who had lost their previous five Leagues Cup matches. The victory also helped erase the memory of a heavy 4-0 defeat to Portland Timbers to open the 2025 tournament.
“After a poor start, we’ve been growing,” said San Luis head coach Guillermo Abascal. “Now, we want to close out this phase in the best possible way—especially by avoiding the late lapses that cost us earlier. We need to keep improving, growing stronger and more solid as a team.”
