There is no dimming the voltage of Los Angeles Galaxy's star attackers going into the Western Conference semifinal game against Minnesota United on Sunday evening.
Gabriel Pec, Dejan Joveljic, Riqui Puig and Joseph Paintsil have each scored anywhere from 10 to 16 goals this season, and they are often setting each other up with assists. That foursome serves as the primary reason why the Galaxy have the No. 2 seed on the West side of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The sixth-seeded Loons, meanwhile, could use some increased wattage from their top attackers, primarily Joaquin Pereyra. The new Argentine midfielder joined MNUFC in September, but has yet to show out as a Designated Player. The 25-year-old has one assist and no goals through 407 minutes in seven games this season.
The lack of stat-sheet production to start his Loons' career has not dimmed his spirits.
"I feel good. I'm happy. I feel great. I try to help the team any way I can," Pereyra said via a Spanish translation from club employee Marleine Calderon. "In scoring goals, it has been a bit difficult. I've had chances to score, but as people say 'The first goal is always the hardest.' So hopefully when that first goal comes to me, I'll be able to score a few more. And why not, maybe it'll be in the next match."
A goal -- and even an assist -- from Pereyra against Galaxy would surely put him in the spotlight, especially if it propels MNUFC into the Western Conference final against either Seattle Sounders or LAFC on either Nov. 30 or Dec. 1.
United brought in Pereyra to create and score goals, not unlike Emanuel Reynoso before his transfer to Tijuana in Mexico's Liga MX, but Pereyra didn't really produce at a high level in Argentina's top flight. In three seasons with Tucuman, he had only four goals and 14 assists in 117 appearances since 2021.
The praise was effusive from Loons head coach Eric Ramsay that Pereyra could be an immediate impact despite having to make a transition to a new country and league, along with a set of different defensive demands from Ramsay. But as of now, the Loons have had to settle for Pereyra being a steadier piece in possession as the Loons build up attacks.
Pereyra has yet to play more than 70 minutes in a match, but in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against Real Salt Lake on Nov. 2, Pereyra did have a nice give-and-go with Bongi Hlongwane for the South African's quality scoring chance in the first half.
Pereyra has been especially helpful on the left side of the pitch, especially with wingback Joseph Rosales and left center back Jefferson Diaz. It helps that all three speak Spanish.
"We're always in communication with each other, and the quicker we can recover the ball, the more time we will have to attack," Pereyra said. "I try to help and not leave Jo nor Jefferson by themselves."
To be successful against Galaxy, MNUFC will need to weather the potential for long stretches without the ball. L.A. is third in MLS at 56.7 percent possession, while the Loons are 28th at 44.3 percent.
"It's something that we will have to do," Pereyra said. "It's our style of play. It's what our coach (Eric Ramsay) asks of us, so we do just that. The whole team has prepared to defend and attack. We have a clear idea of what we have to do and the results are a reflection of that. As long as we continue to win games in that matter, we are going to do what is asked of us and what works best for the team."
The Loons expect to welcome back all seven international players to training on Thursday. They will practice in Blaine through Friday before flying to California to train on Saturday. ... Loons goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair had two shutouts for Canada against Suriname in the past week, including a 3-0 win Tuesday in Toronto, which is 25 miles from his hometown of Pickering. ... Winger Franco Fragapane left Tuesday's training session with a lower right leg issue. Ramsay hoped his exit was precautionary.