We’re down to just one game left in 2026, but your Loons are still fighting. The playoffs remain in reach headed into Decision Day, and that’s thanks in large part to the heroics of Joaquín Pereyra and Cherrion Valerius, who stepped up big time in MNUFC’s resounding 3-1 win over the Black and Gold of LAFC. While the whole team put in an admirable shift, there’s no doubt that these two were head and shoulders above the rest of the pitch. 

This marks Pereyra’s third such honor in 2026, and after nearly doubling his season goal tally in just one game, it’s easy to see why he was included. The Argentine playmaker took his turn as a goal scorer in style, getting the scoring started in the 29th minute. After hovering near the top of the box ahead of a long throw from fellow TOTM honoree Valerius, a wide-open Pereyra saw the ball bounce to his feet with enough space to pick his place, step up to the plate, and fire home into the bottom right corner, freezing Hugo Lloris and setting the Loons on their way to three points. His second strike of the night was equally as impressive: A curling strike in the 81st minute from the top of the box to beat Lloris again and put the final nail in LAFC's coffin.

For summer signing Valerius, this is the first TOTM inclusion of his MLS career, and after just 537 minutes in six games played, it’s no surprise to anyone who’s had the chance to watch him. His long throw that led to the first goal was Boxall-esque, and his ability to turn attack into defense has single-handedly enabled the Loons to revert to a four-man backline in place of the five-back that has defined them for so long. Nothing sums up his game better than his 34th-minute goal, before which he won the ball, started the attack, and kept his running going through LAFC’s gut. Trusting his teammates paid off, and he absolutely rifled a shot past Lloris to score his first goal in Black and Blue — and likely not his last. 

Both of these players have been working their way into or back into the lineup in recent weeks, and it feels safe to say that they’re both fit enough and capable enough of being in the starting lineup every week — and staying on the field for as long as possible. They’ll need to be at their best once again this weekend, as your Loons are set to take on San Jose in a massive Decision Day clash at Allianz Field. 

TOTM 34

F: Robert Lewandowski (CHI), Brian White (VAN), Vincent Janssen (POR)

M: Ryan Gauld (VAN), Joaquín Pereyra (MIN), Marco Reus (LA), Lionel Messi (MIA)

D: Henry Kessler (CLT), Sean Zawadzki (CLB), Benji Kikanović (SJ)

GK: Kristijan Kahlina (CLT)

Coach: B.J. Callaghan (NSH)

Bench: Pablo Sisniega (SD), Mathías Laborda (VAN), Harbor Miller (LA), Cherrion Valerius (MIN), Dylan Chambost (CLB), Miguel Almirón (ATL), David Da Costa (POR), Cristian Espinoza (NSH), Jonathan Bamba (CHI)