LAFC shut out as Minnesota United ends seven-game winless streak
Los Angeles FC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz (19) makes a move past Minnesota United defender Miguel Tapias (4) and midfielder Hassani Dotson (31) in the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota United defender Devin Padelford, left, and Los Angeles FC forward Cristian Olivera vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota United midfielder Robin Lod, left, challenges Los Angeles FC midfielder Ilie Sánchez for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Los Angeles FC forward Dénis Bouanga, right, heads the ball over Minnesota United defender D.J. Taylor (27) in the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota United players jumps for the crowd after defeating Los Angeles FC in an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota United defender Devin Padelford, right, pushes the ball past Los Angeles FC midfielder Timothy Tillman (11) in the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota United forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane scores a goal against Los Angeles FC in the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Los Angeles FC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (1) kneels after Minnesota United forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored on him in the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota United forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane (21) beats Los Angeles FC defender Omar Campos (2) to the ball en route to scoring during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota United midfielder Emanuel Reynoso, left, works past Los Angeles FC defender Ryan Hollingshead, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Robin Lod and Bongokuhle Hlongwane each scored a goal, and Minnesota United ended a seven-game winless streak against LAFC with a 2-0 victory on Saturday night in coach Eric Ramsay’s debut for the Loons.
LAFC (1-2-1) has been shut out in three straight games. Dénis Bouanga, the reigning Golden Boot winner, is still chasing his first goal of the season. Bouanga’s shot from close range missed to the left in the 54th minute and his shot in the 65th was blocked. He also missed a shot early in the first half. Hugo Lloris stopped one shot for LAFC.
Ramsay was named Minnesota’s head coach on Feb. 26. He joined the club after being the top assistant for Manchester United of the English Premier League.
Lod scored his right-footed shot to the top right corner of the net following a set piece in the 16th minute for Minnesota (3-0-1). Hlongwane fired his shot from just inside the center of the 18-yard box to the middle of the net in the 88th.