Cameron Knowles hailed his Minnesota United team for how they continue to deal with adversity ahead of their home MLS clash with Los Angeles FC.

The Minnesota boss has not seen his team lose in the league since being thrashed 6-0 by the Vancouver Whitecaps five games ago.

They managed a hard-fought 1-0 win away at FC Dallas last time out, leaving them fourth in the Western Conference but level on points with their next opponents, LAFC, in third.

"They show that they can bounce back from adversity, playing against some really good teams and difficult places to play, but still get maximum points," Knowles said of his side.

Knowles was also mindful of the quick turnaround, having travelled to Dallas on Thursday before returning to their Allianz Field home for Saturday's clash.

"We'll make sure everyone is healthy. The tighter turnaround makes it a little more difficult," he added.

"The volume of games are stacking up so we have to be mindful of the mileage some of the guys are clocking up."

LAFC have not won any of their last three league outings after a goalless draw with the Colorado Rapids.

The Los Angeles side are also battling in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, though, with a semi-final first leg to follow against Toluca next Thursday.

And Knowles says that could benefit Minnesota, with LAFC potentially needing to rotate with one eye on the other competition.

"They’re in a difficult spot too, due to their success and how good a team they are," Knowles continued. 

"Adding games into their schedule and the impact on their squad is really challenging, too. 

"They're a very good team and the start they've had to the season is truly incredible."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Minnesota United – Anthony Markanich

Not only did Anthony Markanich score the crucial goal against Dallas, his work ethic on and off the ball made it an almost complete performance.

He contested for the most aerial duels (six) of any Minnesota player, while creating two chances – level with Owen Gene for the most on the team.

Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga

Denis Bouanga has led the way for LAFC this season, scoring a team-leading four MLS goals.

However, the striker has not found the net in any of his last three MLS outings since delivering emphatically with a hat-trick in a 6-0 hammering of Orlando City on April 5.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

LAFC are the narrow favourites according to the Opta supercomputer's pre-match predictions, but the draw appears more likely when considering the two teams' form in recent weeks.

Indeed, LAFC have won their last three MLS meetings with Minnesota, keeping clean sheets in all three games.

They had won just three of their first 11 all-time meetings with the Loons (D5 L3), though, keeping just two clean sheets in those games.

But Minnesota have won four straight regular-season matches for the second time in club history, also doing so between June and July 2019. All four wins during this streak, as well as all five wins so far this regular season, have been by one-goal margins.

And LAFC may be in for another tight encounter if they cannot find their shooting boots.

They recorded an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.19 against Colorado on Wednesday, the second lowest in a regular-season match in club history after posting an xG of 0.04 against Philadelphia Union in September 2023.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Minnesota – 34.7%

Draw – 25.9%

LAFC – 39.4%