Minnesota Win Second Match

Minnesota’s first home match of 2018 resulted in a rousing 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire. With goals from Ibson and Sam Nicholson, the Loons dispatched Chicago in a rather dominant second half display. Miguel Ibarra made his first league start of the season and was a key player in Minnesota’s attack and defense.

Things continue to look up for the Loons. As the defense shows signs of cohesion, reinforcements for the attack may be on the way. Multiple reports have come in that the Loons are pursuing Club America’s Darwin Quintero, and now we have word that the deal may be done. Quintero would likely play as a secondary striker, taking Kevin Molino’s position now that the former Orlando player is out for the season.

Weird Week for MLS

Despite ostensibly being the best teams in the league, no team that qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals won in match week 3 of MLS. The best any of them could manage was a draw, attained by three of the eight clubs. Meanwhile, the Loons succeeded by converting Miguel Ibarra to a central attacking midfielder, and Orlando looks to be in crisis.

Matthew Doyle breaks down all the above and more in his regular “Armchair Analyst” series.

England’s Beautiful Game Getting Dirty

Despite fans’ insistence on using soccer to forget about everyday struggles, David Goldblatt contends that the Premier League and others are becoming infused with soiled players. Whether the cause of the taint be Russian funds, oil money, or otherwise, the inclusion of questionable characters is a blight upon the game.

News bits

The USMNT roster for upcoming friendlies was announced

Minnesota United FC fan Kevin Joseph helped redesign Duluth FC’s branding

Eclipse, a youth soccer organization in St. Paul, has added Kaylyn Kyle (wife of MNUFC’s Harrison Heath) to its staff

MLS Weekend Roundup

FC Dallas downed Seattle 3-0

Real Salt Lake defeated New York Red Bulls 1-0

San Jose fell 2-3 to Sporting KC

Montreal defeated fellow Canadians Toronto 1-0

Columbus and Philadelphia battled to a 0-0 draw

D.C. United drew 2-2 with Houston Dynamo

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