By Alex Thierry
Already eliminated from the tournament, Minnesota United defeated Atlante 3-1, ending Los Potros’ hopes of advancing in the 2026 Leagues Cup.
Minnesota started on the front foot, with Kelvin Yeboah using his speed to find space and create opportunities. The Loons were unable to capitalize on their early pressure, however, allowing Atlante to gradually push higher up the field and generate danger around the Minnesota box.
Atlante eventually found the breakthrough when Luis Puente broke down the left flank and delivered a pass into the center of the box. Julian Gressel failed to clear the danger, leaving the ball for Aarón Quirós, whose powerful strike took a deflection before finding the back of the net. Los Potros still needed more goals to improve their goal difference, but Jhojan Julio missed a golden opportunity to extend the lead late in the first half.
Minnesota responded early in the second half. Joaquín Pereyra found himself with plenty of space on the right flank after Quirós missed a sliding challenge, then delivered a cutback for Mauricio González, who finished to bring the Loons level.
With its Leagues Cup hopes on the line, Atlante began throwing numbers forward in search of another goal. That opened up the match and gave Minnesota more space to attack in transition. Pereyra took advantage, putting the Loons ahead with a clinical finish after an assist from Marcus Caldeira.
Atlante turned to its bench and continued pushing forward in search of a response, but the additional space proved costly. Pereyra struck again to complete his brace and seal Minnesota’s 3-1 victory.
The win snapped Minnesota United’s nine-match winless run across all competitions, allowing the Loons to close their Leagues Cup campaign on a positive note. For Atlante, the defeat brought the club’s first Leagues Cup campaign to an end.
REACTIONS
- Minnesota Head Coach Cameron Knowles
- “It feels like a reward for some of the performances we’ve put in. They (the players) created the chances, stayed in the game, and got the result. We’ve put ourselves in a good place.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- Minnesota
- Joaquín Pereyra scored twice and added an assist to lead Minnesota United to victory.
GAME NOTES
- Minnesota United ended a nine-match winless streak across all competitions.
- Marcus Caldeira came off the bench in the 72nd minute and provided two assists.
- Atlante ended its first Leagues Cup campaign with one victory and two defeats.
- The Loons finished with more shots (15) and shots on target (6) than Atlante (10 shots, 4 on target).
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards:
- Minnesota: Kieran Chandler (‘36), Devin Padelford (‘44), Julian Gressel (‘62)
- Atlante: Aarón Quirós (‘11), Jhojan Julio (‘68)
LOOKING AHEAD
- Minnesota United entered the game already eliminated from the 2026 Leagues Cup and will resume activity in the MLS against Real Salt Lake on Aug. 15
- Atlante has been eliminated from the 2026 Leagues Cup and will return to Liga MX against Toluca on Aug. 15
