Minnesota United suffered a gut-wrenching defeat against Club America in the Leagues Cup, turning what seemed like a potential upset into yet another late-game collapse decided by penalties. Played before a heavily biased crowd at a neutral venue, the match showcased the Loons’ resilience but ultimately ended in heartbreak during Phase One of the tournament.

The Loons initially seized control, with Tani Oluwaseyi netting a crucial goal in the 14th minute, giving Minnesota United an early 1-0 advantage. This assertive start set the tone for a back-and-forth encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats, hinting at an unexpected triumph for the MLS side against their formidable Liga MX opponents.

However, the lead was short-lived as a Michael Boxall own goal leveled the score at 1-1 in the 27th minute. Undeterred, Minnesota United swiftly responded, with Bongokuhle Hlongwane restoring their lead to 2-1 before halftime, ensuring the Loons entered the break with a narrow but significant advantage.

The second half mirrored the first in intensity. Club America found their second equalizer in the 53rd minute, bringing the score to 2-2. Despite this setback, Minnesota United showcased remarkable tenacity when Carlos Harvey put them back in front, making it 3-2 in the 65th minute. This crucial goal came just minutes after America’s Igor Lichnovsky received a red card in the 62nd minute, leaving the Liga MX giants with a man disadvantage.

With a late 3-2 lead and a numerical advantage, victory seemed within Minnesota United’s grasp. However, in a cruel twist of fate, America’s Sebastian Caceres delivered a crushing blow in the 90th minute, beating Loons goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair with a powerful header to draw level at 3-3, dashing United’s hopes of securing the win in regular time.

The dramatic equalizer forced the match into a penalty shootout, a familiar and often unforgiving scenario for Minnesota United, who have faced similar late collapses in previous outings. Despite never trailing during regulation, the psychological blow of conceding so late proved decisive, leading to their ultimate downfall in the shootout.

The third annual Leagues Cup is a unique tournament featuring all 18 teams from Mexico’s Liga MX and 18 MLS teams, designed to intensify continental rivalries and provide high-stakes competition. Minnesota United’s participation, though ending in defeat, highlights the competitive nature of the tournament and the challenges faced by MLS teams against their Mexican counterparts.

This match served as another reminder of Minnesota United’s struggles to close out games, echoing recent encounters where late leads have slipped away. While their offensive prowess was evident, the defensive lapses in critical moments continue to be a challenging aspect for the team to overcome, particularly in high-pressure cup competitions like the Leagues Cup.