By Alex Thierry
Atlante will face Minnesota United at Allianz Field needing a victory to keep its 2026 Leagues Cup hopes alive.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
- 1st matchup between the two sides
- Record at Leagues Cup: Minnesota United (5-7), Atlante (1-1)
LAST FIVE GAMES:
- Minnesota United:
- 0 Wins, 3 Draws, 2 Loss
- Atlante:
- 2 Wins, 1 Draw, 2 Losses
MAIN STORYLINES:
- Minnesota United enters the match eliminated from the tournament with just one point through two games.
- The Loons are winless in their last nine matches, tied for their longest streak since June/July 2024 (longest in club history)
- Atlante won its Leagues Cup opener but suffered a major setback with a 4-0 loss to Real Salt Lake in their second game.
- Seven teams currently sit ahead of Los Potros in the Liga MX side of the standings.
KEY FACTORS:
- Minnesota United:
- Minnesota United has struggled to find results at home this season. They enter this match looking for their first home win since April.
- Tomás Chancalay scored Minnesota's only goal in the tournament thus. He's scored two goals in his last three games overall.
- The Loons created multiple chances in stoppage time against Tigres but were unable to find the net.
- Atlante:
- Miguel Herrera’s squad may need multiple goals to overcome its goal-difference disadvantage.
- Jhojan Julio will look to find the net again after scoring in the opener. He's scored a goal in two of his five appearances since joining Atlante.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Minnesota United is already eliminated from the 2026 Leagues Cup after falling to Tigres in a penalty shootout. Atlante, meanwhile, needs a victory — and help from results elsewhere — to have a chance of reaching the Quarterfinals following its 4-0 defeat to Real Salt Lake.
With MLS action returning on Sunday, Minnesota could use the opportunity to rotate its squad. Still, a positive result would be valuable for a team looking to reverse its recent form after nine consecutive matches without a victory.
Atlante will look to take advantage of Minnesota’s recent struggles at Allianz Field, but a victory alone may not be enough. With seven teams ahead of Los Potros, goal difference could prove crucial as they attempt to climb into one of the four qualifying positions.
Minnesota will look to remain compact defensively and close the gaps that have caused problems earlier in the tournament. Atlante, meanwhile, has greater incentive to push forward and could look to attack quickly in transition as it tries to rediscover its scoring touch. Los Potros have little margin for error: they need a convincing result while hoping the rest of the night falls in their favor.
Polymarket bettors are leaning toward Minnesota United, with the home side at 50% of the market while Atlante, still fighting to keep its quarterfinal hopes alive, sits at 28%.
