Knowles: Motivated Minnesota aiming to defy playoff odds

Cameron Knowles described Minnesota United's win over Los Angeles FC as "one of the most important" of the season to ensure their playoff hopes remained intact. 

Minnesota head into their Decision Day clash with the San Jose Earthquakes two points adrift of the postseason places, with several other teams also in with a chance. 

There are just three points separating six teams heading into the final match of the regular season, with the LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers and Colorado Rapids in the playoff places. 

Seattle Sounders, Real Salt Lake and Minnesota all need to win their final game to stand any chance of reaching the postseason, with the Loons in a good run of recent form.

Minnesota are unbeaten in their last six MLS outings (W3 D3), with their latest result seeing them beat LAFC 3-1 away from home as Joaquin Pereyra scored a brace. 

"It might be one of the most important for sure," Knowles said of the win over LAFC. "We came here, and we had to win. With three games to go, we said we had to win three.

"We came into the game knowing it was a must-win, and we backed up our last result against a very good team. Now, we have given ourselves a chance and put some pressure on the teams ahead of us, and it gives us hope going into the last game of the season."

But Minnesota could have been eliminated before a ball was kicked at BMO Stadium, and Knowles was thankful results went their way before going out and beating LAFC. 

"We looked at the fixtures and thought it was an unlikely outcome," Knowles added. "But it's possible. Once the games had been played and the guys knew we had a chance, they did what they needed to do. They are a really motivated group right now."

With the pressure on Minnesota, San Jose arrive having already secured their spot in the postseason, but they could finish as high as second in the Western Conference.

The Earthquakes dealt RSL's playoff hopes a blow with a 2-1 victory at PayPal Park, with all three goals coming in the space of 23 minutes during an electric opening period. 

Ousseni Bouda and Benji Kikanovic's strikes did the damage, but San Jose boss Bruce Arena said he wants his team to sign off from the regular season with a positive result against Minnesota, which can be used as momentum in the postseason. 

"This wasn't one of our better performances, and we played better at home in our last game," said Arena. "But give Salt Lake credit, they played really well.

"Ultimately, I'm pleased with the three points. We want to carry some momentum into Minnesota and play well, although I know that will be challenging.

"Who knows what the weather will be like there this time of year? We could be playing in a snowstorm."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Minnesota United – Joaquin Pereyra

Pereyra scored his fourth and fifth goals of the season for Minnesota against LAFC, registering his 19th goal involvement of the year (also 14 assists).

That puts him second on the Loons roster behind leading goalscorer Kelvin Yeboah, who has 23 with 18 goals and five assists.

San Jose Earthquakes – Ousseni Bouda

Bouda scored a second-minute free-kick for San Jose against RSL. It was his first direct free-kick goal of the season, and the third-quickest goal for San Jose this season.

That goal was his seventh of the season, which put him into second for the Earthquakes this year.

MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA UNITED WIN

Minnesota have not lost in their last seven regular-season games between the two teams (W5 D2). The Loons have not lost at home to them since 2018. Since then, San Jose have only won once against Minnesota (in San Jose in 2022).

The Loons continued their impressive form turnaround, winning against LAFC to extend their undefeated streak to six (W3 D3). The Loons had lost their previous five matches before going unbeaten in the last six.

San Jose, meanwhile, defeated RSL 2-1 on the back of two goals in the first 17 minutes. No team have scored more goals in that time frame than the Earthquakes, who have scored 15.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Minnesota United – 46.5%

Draw – 26.5%

San Jose Earthquakes – 27%