After a week off, Minnesota United finds itself preparing for its MLS Cup Playoffs debut. The last game of the first round sees the Loons host the Los Angeles Galaxy (Sunday, 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN) in a matchup of two teams that may feel their final position in the conference table doesn’t reflect their potential. Both teams slipped on the final day; while Minnesota fell from second to fourth, the Galaxy bombed out of the hosting places altogether, forcing a longtime Goliath to play the David role in 2019.



Games against the Galaxy will always feel more important given the aura around the club. It’s the winningest outfit in league history with five MLS Cup wins; seeing the crest will spring to mind a litany of MLS royalty: Kevin Hartman, Cobi Jones, David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Bruce Arena, Clement Diop, Omar Gonzalez and Robbie Keane, to name a few. Perhaps that helps explain why L.A. is one of three teams that the Loons have failed to beat since joining MLS in...