Minnesota United will find out Sunday night whether it has a future in the 2024 Leagues Cup.
The Loons will be watching as the Seattle Sounders and Mexican club Necaxa play the final West Group 6 match at 9:30 p.m. at Lumen Field.
The result in Washington state will determine if MNUFC advances to the North American tournament’s knockout rounds. The top two teams advance, and the bottom team in the three-team pool is done.
Minnesota sits at 1-1 in group matches, with a 2-0 loss at Seattle on July 26 and a 1-0 home win over Necaxa on Tuesday.
Given the Loons’ split, there are three scenarios:
— If Seattle wins in regulation/penalty kicks or Necaxa wins in PKs, Seattle will finish first in the group, with the Loons second.
— If Necaxa wins by four (or more) goals, Necaxa wins the group, Minnesota is second.
— If Necaxa wins by 1-3 goals, Minnesota is eliminated while Necaxa and Seattle advance.
If Minnesota qualifies for the round of 32, the Loons will play a club from West Group 2 — Chivas Guadalajara, L.A Galaxy or San Jose Earthquakes. Based on how that group shakes out, the Loons could host Galaxy in St. Paul or travel to California to play either San Jose or Chivas. Chivas and Galaxy also play at 9:30 p.m. Sunday to determine that group’s order.
The first knockout round games will be Aug. 7-9.