Minnesota United in limbo waiting for Leagues Cup group play results

Minnesota United has been off since Tuesday night, as the Loons play the Leagues Cup waiting game. Until late Sunday evening, they won’t know anything about next week either, with every option on the table: they could have a home game, a road game, or no game at all.

The two games that will determine Minnesota’s fate both start at 9:30 p.m. Central time Sunday evening. Necaxa, whom the Loons beat 1-0 on Tuesday at Allianz Field, travels to Seattle; meanwhile, Mexican giants Chivas visit the LA Galaxy.

The most important of these games is the one in West Group 6, Minnesota’s group, between Necaxa and Seattle, since it will determine whether Minnesota moves on. If Necaxa beats the Sounders in regulation, by one, two, or three goals, the Loons are out of the tournament. Any other result, and Minnesota is on to the 32-team knockout round.

Assuming the Loons do qualify, they will play the winner of West Group 2 — which could be either the Galaxy, which has three points after one game, or Chivas, which has one.

If Chivas wins that Sunday game in regulation, they win the group. And as one of the top seeds in the tournament, they would “play host” to the first game of the knockout round at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., normally the Galaxy’s home stadium. Minnesota would have to travel and play in front of what’s sure to be a hostile crowd, given the number of stateside fans of Chivas, which has one of Mexico’s two biggest fanbases.

If the Galaxy win or draw, then LA would win the group — but despite the fact that the Loons would be the West Group 6 runners-up, hosts are determined by tournament seeding, not by winning the group. Since Minnesota finished above the Galaxy in last season’s standings, they would hold the knockout-round game at Allianz Field.

Regardless of the location, the game date is still to be determined, though it will be on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday next week.

Looking beyond the round of 32, the Loons are down to a couple of potential opponents, only one of which might be at home. Depending on how the groups end up, and depending on who wins in the round of 32, Minnesota could travel to LAFC or Vancouver, play against CF Monterrey in Austin, Texas, or host Pumas — the last of these probably being the most exciting of the potential matchups.

Of course, all of that is dependent on Sunday evening — with a definite possibility that instead of traveling or hosting, Minnesota would have three more weeks to rest before the MLS season restarts Aug. 24.

Less than three years ago, Loïc Mesanvi was a senior at Lakeville South, scoring 24 goals to lead the Cougars. Fast-forward to Tuesday night, and he’s making a second consecutive start for Minnesota United in a chippy, contentious game against Necaxa.

So where’s the trash-talking worse — teams from the South Suburban Conference, or teams from Mexico?

Mesanvi thought about it after Tuesday’s game, then stopped himself. “I don’t want to answer that question,” he said, with a smile.

So to anyone who played against Lakeville South a couple of years ago, just know: your trash-talking might be CONCACAF-level.

Mesanvi’s fourth appearance of the season for the MNUFC first team will be his last for the year unless the Loons choose sign him to a first-team contract the stretch run, but it’s been another step for the 20-year-old on his rise through Minnesota soccer’s levels.

After making the Star Tribune’s All-Metro team in the fall of 2021, Mesanvi joined the Loons academy the following summer as well as playing for Minneapolis City SC. Minnesota United liked what it saw and signed him to a contract with MNUFC2 for 2023.

He made 18 appearances in MLS NEXT Pro last season, and has appeared 16 times for the second team this season plus four games with the senior squad.

The Loons have prized positional versatility this season, and Mesanvi showed he’s capable of that, playing both Leagues Cup games as a right wingback instead of forward.

“Obviously, it is nerve-wracking, but I got rostered for a reason, and you know the coaches put their trust in me to go out there and just be me,” Mesanvi said.

In terms of potential prospects, Mesanvi has been given the most first-team opportunities this year. It’s clear the team is high on him — and it will be interesting to see where he can go from here.