GAME STORY: Minnesota United comes alive late for 3-1 victory at San Diego that puts top of Western Conference within reach

When the dust settled from Minnesota United’s 3-1 victory at San Diego late Saturday night, the Loons were left in a place they have simply never been at this point of the season.

The victory meant the Loons set a club record for points in a season, with 54. It also put them squarely in the race for the top seed in the Western Conference. They now trail San Diego by only two points with four games to play — though Vancouver, which hammered Philadelphia 7-0 on Saturday night, is two points back of the Loons and has two games in hand.

Read more: Analysis: Loons’ victory at San Diego is the latest sign of a special season