The Loons may not have to defend their season-revitalizing win in Los Angeles until next Wednesday, but that doesn’t mean the team is on holiday.



On Saturday, Minnesota United will host Liga MX side C.F. Pachuca, one of the Americas’ oldest clubs. The international friendly will be the third such match in Allianz Field’s inaugural season, adding another non-league contest to the 2019 slate. First came Hertha Berlin, then Aston Villa passed through. Later this fall, a football match of another type entirely will kick off in Saint Paul’s newest sports venue.



The looming question around all of these non-MLS matchups is a simple one: why?



As MLS matures and fan interest in the league intensifies, friendlies are far from universally beloved. The matches aren’t always part of the season ticket package (this year, only the Loons’ contest against Hertha Berlin was included), which can irk regularly paying customers and result in a...