LOS ANGELES (AP) - Mason Toye scored twice within four minutes in the first half and Minnesota United held on to hand Los Angeles FC its first home loss of the season, 2-0 on Sunday night.
Toye had a pair of brilliant strikes and Vito Mannone made eight saves for the Loons, who became just the second MLS team to win on LAFC's home pitch.
“I'm just so pleased for the group because this group was so disappointed after losing the Final to Atlanta on Tuesday night,” said Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath. “For them to pick themselves up and put that type of performance up on the road against the MLS league leaders, who haven't been beaten at home all season, speaks volumes about the character of the group.”
Toye scored in the 25th minute when he took a ball on the edge at midfield, dribbled into the middle and near the top of the box dropped a pass back to Jan Gregus. Gregus perfectly slotted the ball ahead to Toye, who left-footed it into the top far corner from a difficult angle just outside keeper box.
Toye got his sixth goal when he unleashed a high, hard shot from well outside the box into a top corner.
“This is a kid who continually wants to work hard,” said Heath. “He's working hard at his craft and as I always say to the players, you get out what you put in."
Mannone made two stops in the first half diving to his right. In the second half he made a leaping save on a free kick as LAFC put pressure on the visitors. LAFC had 24 shots, eight on target; the Loons (13-9-6) had just five shots.
Heath earned his 50th MLS win as the Loons jumped from seventh to a three-way tie for fourth in the Western Conference.
With the loss, LAFC failed to clinch the top playoff seed in the West.