Pereyra Brace Fires Minnesota to 3-1 Win at LAFC as Playoff Race Tightens

Minnesota United produced one of the standout away performances of the MLS weekend, beating Los Angeles FC 3-1 at BMO Stadium on Sunday. Joaquín Pereyra set the tone with a clinical first-half display, opening the scoring in the 29th minute before Cherrion Valerius doubled the visitors' advantage just five minutes later. Minnesota went into the interval in complete control, and Pereyra's second goal of the night completed his brace and sealed a statement victory on the road. Los Angeles FC pulled one back but could never wrest back momentum from a Minnesota side that defended its lead with discipline and struck ruthlessly on the break. The win keeps Minnesota firmly in the playoff hunt with the regular season reaching its decisive stretch, while LAFC were left to rue a slow start that left them chasing the game from the first half-hour onward. With Decision Day set for Saturday, November 7, every point now carries extra weight, and Minnesota's trip to California delivered exactly the kind of result that can reshape a conference race. Pereyra's brace underlined his growing influence as the season's defining fixtures arrive.