Who will take home all three points from LAFC vs. Minnesota United? | OneFootball

The 2025 Major League Soccer season is kicking off with a bang! LAFC, once again, enters the field as one of the favorites, but don’t think for a second this is gonna be a walk in the park against Minnesota United. They’re not just here to make up the numbers in the playoffs; they’re aiming for something bigger. This Saturday, February 22, the two teams clash at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, with LAFC looking to keep its impressive opening-day winning streak alive. But Minnesota might just have something to say about that.

LAFC, which has never lost a season opener in MLS, is on a mission. No doubt, this Los Angeles squad is one of the league’s powerhouses, and everyone knows their potential. But what about injuries? And the toll of juggling multiple competitions, especially with tough European teams lurking? After a tough loss to the Colorado Rapids in the Concacaf Champions Cup, where some cracks started to show, LAFC is gearing up to start strong. But they’ll need more than just big-name players to keep their opening-day dominance intact.

On the flip side, Minnesota United rolls in as the wild card. They wrapped up 2024 with a solid playoff run and have plenty to prove in 2025. Let’s not forget, last year they pulled the trigger and moved on from Adrian Heath, bringing in Eric Ramsay, who’s now tasked with taking Minnesota to the top of the Western Conference, and maybe even beyond. LAFC might have the star power, but the Loons have a tight-knit, determined squad with players like Robin Lod and Kelvin Yeboah ready to show they can go toe-to-toe with any giant in the league.

But Minnesota’s biggest edge? The mental game. They’re fresher, had more time to prep, while LAFC is coming off a tough loss with a brutal schedule ahead. Sure, LA’s warm weather might feel like home for LAFC, but Minnesota could use that mounting pressure against them. This is the kind of game that cranks up the hype, will LAFC defend its fortress, or will Minnesota, with its gritty, never-back-down attitude, step up and shock everyone?

One thing’s for sure: LAFC cannot afford to take this matchup lightly, even with Steve Cherundolo, one of the league’s sharpest minds, leading the charge. And then there’s Olivier Giroud, a soccer icon, brought in to be the main man up front. Of course, let’s not forget Denis Bouanga, last season’s top scorer and a strong MVP candidate for 2025. If LAFC wants to walk away with a win, this duo has to click. The chemistry between Giroud and Bouanga is one of the biggest storylines of the season. But will it be enough to handle Minnesota’s well-oiled and hungry squad?

Minnesota, for its part, isn’t here just to make up the numbers. They’ve refreshed their roster and are hungry to prove they belong among the league’s elite. New head coach Eric Ramsay has already shown he’s got some tricks up his sleeve, and he might just throw out a game plan that no one sees coming. After some surprising wins last season, it’s hard to imagine them playing the role of underdogs quietly. Even on the road, they’ve got nothing to lose, and that makes them dangerous.

This battle isn’t just about what happens on the field, it’s about the stories being written. LAFC brings the glitz, the big names, the Hollywood appeal. Minnesota brings the grit, the fight, the chip on their shoulder that makes them dangerous.

Saturday’s showdown at BMO Stadium is the first real test to see how these teams stack up in a season filled with promise and pressure. LAFC is the favorite, no doubt about it, but that doesn’t mean Minnesota’s rolling over.

There’s a lot on the line here. LAFC has a reputation to uphold, they’ve never lost a season opener, something no other MLS team can claim. But Minnesota? They’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Players like Robin Lod, who keeps proving he’s the heart of this squad, and the electric Kelvin Yeboah, who could be the key to an upset, make this team dangerous. They’ve built a solid mix of young talent and seasoned vets, and that balance might be exactly what they need to take the next step in 2025.

LAFC, on the other hand, knows they’ve got a stacked roster with world-class talent. But let’s be real, 2025 hasn’t exactly started smooth. Injuries, fatigue from international competitions, and the weight of expectations are all adding up. Staying sharp against a motivated, well-prepared Minnesota side will be a real challenge. If LAFC loses focus for even a moment, Minnesota will pounce, ready to steal crucial points on the road.