dpJust two matches remain in the MLS regular season. Tonight, LAFC take the pitch at home for the last time in the 2026 regular season. While a playoff spot has been secured, the team are still in a fight for a top four finish, which would also give them home field for the best-of-3 series opening round. If they want to go into the final day of the season with that still a possibility, they will need to win tonight. A loss will see their home field hopes completely dashed while a draw will leave them needing a fair amount of help. More importantly, a win tonight extends the unbeaten run they have built the last few matches, as they look to find consistency and confidence going into the postseason.
Matchday: #LAFCvMIN
⏰ 5:30 PM PST
🖥️ @AppleTV
🎧 @ESPNLosAngeles & K-Radio 1230
🇰🇷 Spotv & Coupang Play https://t.co/RS7EfiSkgO— LAFC (@LAFC) November 1, 2026
After a stretch that saw them lose five straight, Minnesota has made it five unbeaten in their latest run of matches, with two wins during that span. Minnesota have been eliminated from playoff contention, so outside of pride and playing spoiler, there are no real stakes for them coming into tonight. That said, it is MLS, it is professional sports, and this is Los Angeles. That’s all the motivation most teams need when they play a team from SoCal. There’s also the fact Minnesota United haven’t scored a goal against LAFC in their last four meetings, with no team in MLS history every going five-straight shutout wins over a single opponent, they are looking to avoid being on the wrong end of history tonight.
LAFC are in a bit of a weird spot. On one hand, there’s the urge to rest some key players as the playoffs approach, now that they have their spot guaranteed. On the other hand, they still have a chance at getting home field for the opening round, which would be massive. The issue is, they could go all out to win the next two matches, do so, and still not finish in the top four depending on what those above them do.
So again, a weird spot. Perhaps the smart thing would be going for it out the gates to get an early goal or two, then possibly resting some guys as you see out the win. Easier said than done for sure, especially considering offense has been hard to come by this year for the black & gold. Typically, against ‘inferior’ opponents the team tend to rotate, so don’t be surprised to see that again tonight.
How To Watch
Hometown heroes or road warriors? That is the question LAFC have to answer and it starts with a win tonight as they host Minnesota United in their final regular season match at home. Kickoff is set for 5:30pm PST from BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The match will be broadcast live and can be watched on AppleTV. The match will also be streamed on Coupang Play (Korea)as well as SpoTV (Korea). The match will also be available on radio broadcast on 710 AM Los Angeles, 980 AM La Mera Mera for Spanish broadcasting, and KYPA 1230 AM for Korean broadcasting.
Thoughts on the team’s chances at getting home field for the opening round? Let us know below!
