FiftyFive.One
• Voices From Soccer's North •
Author: Brian Quarstad
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Allianz Field Construction Passes Halfway Mark
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Allianz Field Construction Passes Halfway MarkIn honor of Mortenson Construction passing the 50% completion mark of Minnesota United’s Allianz Field, the team held a stadium tour for the media on Thursday. While the exterior of the stadium is visually appealing even without it’s PTFE skin, the interior is even more impressive. Once inside the 19,400-seat stadium, it appears even larger…
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What Carlos Cordeiro’s USSF Presidential Victory Tells Us
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: What Carlos Cordeiro’s USSF Presidential Victory Tells UsEditor’s note: This past Saturday, the USSF presidential election in Orlando yielded longtime USSF board member Carlos Cordeiro the winner by a comfortable margin on the third ballot. Cordeiro led every stage of balloting and increased his vote total on all three ballots. In this guest editorial, prolific soccer writer Kartik Krishnaiyer offers his own…
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Minnesota United’s Allianz Field Construction: A Photo Essay
Categories: MediaContinue Reading: Minnesota United’s Allianz Field Construction: A Photo EssayTwo months ago, Minnesota United held a steel raising ceremony to celebrate the beginning of the above ground work that was to begin on Allianz Field. Up to that point all work had been at or below ground level. The event was held on November 19. Exactly two months later, through the holidays and many…
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Iconic Soccer Field Proposed for Highland Park Landmark
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Iconic Soccer Field Proposed for Highland Park LandmarkBy Rob Spence, Member St. Paul Blackhawks Board of Directors While the debate rages on between residents of St. Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood over the ideal density for the 32 acres at the former Ford Plant, a desirable four acre property exactly one mile east and two miles south of Allianz Field, is about to…
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McGuire Considering Purchasing Entire 24.5 Acre Midway Shopping Center
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: McGuire Considering Purchasing Entire 24.5 Acre Midway Shopping CenterFiftyFive.One has learned that Minnesota United principal owner Bill McGuire is considering purchasing the entire 24.5 acre Midway Center from current owner Rick Birdoff who is based out of New York. The sale of the property or part of the property could happen as early as Aug. 20. McGuire and his ownership group have needed…
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Stadium Talk: A One-On-One With Minnesota United Principal Owner Bill McGuire
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Stadium Talk: A One-On-One With Minnesota United Principal Owner Bill McGuireThe Union Park District Council hosted a stadium information session in July. In attendance was Dr. Bill McGuire who spoke at the event. Afterwards, McGuire took a few moments to conduct a rare interview concerning the Minnesota United stadium planning and construction process to date. FiftyFive.One: We’ve been told by several architects that often the…
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Minnesota Soccer Community Loses John Sylvester to ALS, His Family Needs Your Help
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Minnesota Soccer Community Loses John Sylvester to ALS, His Family Needs Your HelpJohn Kelly Sylvester (Sly), girls coaching director of Minneapolis United youth soccer club and former Minnesota Thunder player, passed away on June 16th. John had a long battle with ALS and is the second Minnesota soccer figure in the past year to succumb to the disease. Making matters worse, John’s wife Tessie, who had supported…
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Minnesota United Midway Stadium Construction Finally Begins But Two Acres Remain to Be Purchased
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Minnesota United Midway Stadium Construction Finally Begins But Two Acres Remain to Be PurchasedAfter months of delays, an early access agreement has been struck and a permit for soil remediation and excavation for Minnesota United’s Midway stadium has finally been granted. Even though earthwork is set to begin next week, there are still delays in acquiring the two acres needed at the north end of the stadium. FiftyFive.One…
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Despite Complex Land Deals, Minnesota United Stadium Progresses
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Despite Complex Land Deals, Minnesota United Stadium ProgressesLast week, the Minnesota State Legislature passed a tax bill that included breaks for Minnesota United’s self-funded stadium. Team owner Bill McGuire said his confidence level was “high” that the governor would sign the measure. All parties involved with the construction of the stadium and redevelopment of Midway Center seem optimistic, but complex land and…
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Tom Donovan Blazed Soccer Supporter Trail
Continue Reading: Tom Donovan Blazed Soccer Supporter TrailOn Sunday, April 30, longtime Minnesota soccer supporter and Dark Cloud member, Tom Donovan passed away after a several-year-long battle with cancer. He was 69 years old. Tom Donovan may not be a name that younger fans know, but they should. Tom was a devoted soccer supporter long before it was trendy and worked throughout…
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Minnesota Lose Game and Shutout Streak to San Jose
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Minnesota Lose Game and Shutout Streak to San JoseMinnesota United gave up a 54th minute game winning goal to the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday evening, stopping their shutout streak at 192 minutes. The loss brings the Loons to a 2-5-2 record. San Jose, who had come into the game with no goals in their last two games, pushed their record to 3-3-3.…
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Minnesota United Stadium Tax Exemptions Approved, but Don’t Get Too Excited Yet
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Minnesota United Stadium Tax Exemptions Approved, but Don’t Get Too Excited YetOmnibus tax bill HF4, which includes Minnesota United stadium tax exemptions, passed the Senate on Monday evening by a vote of 40 to 27. With the passage of the measure, the bill will now head to Governor Mark Dayton’s desk. However, soccer fans’ celebration over the bill’s passage should be met with some caution. As we have…
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Despite the Flu, Christian Ramirez Continues to Prove He Belongs in MLS
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Despite the Flu, Christian Ramirez Continues to Prove He Belongs in MLSSlumped in a locker room chair, Christian Ramirez fielded questions from reporters. The Loons’ target forward was coming down quickly after the high of an emphatic 4-2 victory over Real Salt Lake — the team’s first MLS win. Despite having the flu, not sleeping much on Friday night, and then “throwing up from both areas of…