By Victor Araiza
Atlético de San Luis said goodbye to Leagues Cup 2025 by earning its first win of three points in tournament history with a 2–0 victory over Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Fresh off their first win in the competition—a penalty shootout triumph at Real Salt Lake—San Luis secured its first outright victory in regulation. The Potosinos finish with five points, marking their best showing in any edition of the tournament.
Summer signing João Pedro opened the scoring one minute into first-half stoppage time. The Brazilian found the net with a header off a corner kick delivered by Sébastien Salles-Lamonge, notching his second Leagues Cup goal in as many games and his fourth in five appearances across all competitions.
Goalkeeper Andrés Sánchez came up big in the 83rd minute, using his right leg to block a close-range attempt by Bongokuhle Hlongwane, who was looking to score in a third straight Leagues Cup match.
Sebastián Pérez Bouquet sealed the win for Atlético de San Luis in the 89th minute with a right-footed strike from the right side of the box. Yan Phillipe provided the assist after advancing a long goal kick from Sánchez.
Minnesota United also exits the competition, having failed to finish among the top four MLS teams needed to advance.
REACTIONS
- Atlético San Luis Head Coach Guillermo Abascal:
- "You have to compete in this format, you have to understand it, you have to know how to work it...Next time we'll be more prepared, and we'll try to resolve it in the best way possible so that we can progress to the next round. It's a short tournament and in short tournaments everyone has the same chances.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- Atlético San Luis
- João Pedro took Man of the Match honors after scoring the game-winning goal, his second consecutive game with a goal in Leagues Cup.
GAME NOTES
- With the defeat, Minnesota United FC was eliminated from advancing.
- Atlético de San Luis obtained its first outright victory in Leagues Cup.
- Andrés Sánchez collected his first clean sheet in the competition.
- João Pedro scores his fourth goal for San Luis in five appearances.
- Sebastián Pérez Bouquet opened his tally in the Leagues Cup.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards
- Minnesota United: Joseph Rosales, Tani Oluwaseyi
- Atlético San Luis: Benjamín Galdames, Mateo Klimowicz, Román Torres
LOOKING AHEAD
- Minnesota United FC will host Colorado Rapids on Sunday as it seeks to strengthen its position in the Western Conference in the road to the MLS Cup Playoffs
- Atlético de San Luis returns to its Liga MX Apertura 2025 campaign by hosting Cruz Azul on Monday
