Minnesota United will play at home in the first round of the MLS playoffs after receiving a helping hand from an old friend.
The Loons went into Sunday’s game against the Seattle Sounders knowing a win would be good enough to secure the No. 2 seed, but that a lost could bump them to No. 5.
Regrettably, United lost 1-0 to the Sounders on the West Coast, but still managed to bag the No. 4 seed and a home tie against 5th seed L.A. Galaxy after the Galaxy lost 4-2 to the Houston Dynamo.
Coming to their aid was their former striker, Christian Ramirez, who now plays for the Dynamo and who bagged two goals to condemn the Galaxy to defeat.
Allianz Field will now play hosts to United-Galaxy on either Oct. 19 or 20, with the winners going on to face No. 1 ranked LAFC, whom Minnesota beat away from home earlier this season.
Bracket is set. ✔️
Can't wait for the Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs! pic.twitter.com/6WzDPD8FEh
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 6, 2019
Loons manager Adrian Heath joked that the club will be sending Ramirez a bottle of wine to thank him for the help securing his old team a top four seed.
United finished 4th in the Western Conference, the first time they’ve qualified for the playoffs in just their third season since entering MLS.
They ended up with 53 points from their 34 games, winning 15, losing 11, and tying 8.
