FiftyFive.One
• Voices From Soccer's North •
Author: David Martin
-
Match Preview: Orlando City SC v. Minnesota United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Orlando City SC v. Minnesota United FCIf you are looking for a sure bet one way or the other this weekend, avoid this match. Orlando City will be missing six probable starters and are coming off a game which, despite its dramatic finish, was still just one point earned at home against lowly D.C. United. For the Loons, the question will…
-
Match Preview: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United FCThe votes are in, and confidence in Minnesota United’s 2018 MLS season is officially low. Season-opening power rankings consistently put the Loons at or near the bottom of the table this year. But for all the challenges in 2017, some of the most memorable moments came from overcoming low expectations: beating the Grant Wahl mark,…
-
Match Preview: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United FCWell, this is it. By the time dinner is over Sunday, Minnesota United’s inaugural season in MLS will be in the books. There are plenty of emotions to feel at this point: sadness at the end of a special year, relief at the merciful conclusion of this tough season, optimism or pessimism for what comes…
-
Match Preview: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Minnesota United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Minnesota United FCIf any Minnesota United fans are feeling down after a less-than-stellar year, they need look no further than the Los Angeles Galaxy for a bit of relaxing schadenfreude. The Galaxy entered the season not having missed the playoffs since 2008. Now, ahead of Sunday’s clash, they sit seven points below “Worst Team In MLS History™” Minnesota…
-
Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Sporting Kansas City
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Sporting Kansas CityRound four of this Midwest slugfest comes with plenty to play for. Sporting Kansas City have yet to clinch a playoff spot and could do so with a win against Minnesota; in truth, they will almost certainly make the postseason and are hunting for better seeding at this point. Minnesota has not yet technically been…
-
Match Preview: Atlanta United FC vs. Minnesota United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Atlanta United FC vs. Minnesota United FCAtlanta United delivered Minnesota its most shameful moment in the Loons’ first-ever MLS home game this year. Thousands of potential fans turned out to see what all the fuss was about and left with the very same question. Of course, Minnesota dominated DC United, and DC United dominated Atlanta this year, because MLS. So it…
-
Match Preview: Houston Dynamo vs. Minnesota United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Houston Dynamo vs. Minnesota United FCIt was fun to see the faint glow of long-forgotten optimism in the eyes of Minnesota United fans this week. The club has played spoiler in each of its last two games, both coming against teams desperately needing a win to keep their playoff dreams alive. Instead, the Loons have heaped on misery. They’ll have…
-
Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. FC Dallas
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. FC DallasMinnesota stunned fans twice against Montreal. The first stunner came when the club trotted out a lineup that essentially mirrored what objective reality suggested they should have — with strugglers sitting on the bench and just about the best available 11 players starting. The second stunner came when it worked. Despite an embarrassing opening 15…
-
Match Preview: Montreal Impact vs. Minnesota United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Montreal Impact vs. Minnesota United FCPlaying its third game in eight days, and with some health questions about some key players, Minnesota faces a tough road game against the Impact on Saturday. However, tough circumstances could come with a silver lining. With playoff elimination all but a formality, this could be a game to experiment with tactics and players, giving…
-
Match Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Minnesota United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Minnesota United FCWith pride to play for and not much else, Minnesota United heads to Vancouver looking to continue to solidify its identity ahead of next season. Key questions stand out: is there a way to get Christian Ramirez and Abu Danladi playing together effectively? Is there still competition among the overload of wingers on the team other than Ethan Finlay and Sam…
-
Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Philadelphia Union
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Philadelphia UnionA road win, a bit of time off to get over some nagging injuries, and a match against a very disappointing Philadelphia Union team is just what the doctor ordered for Minnesota. With any effort and luck, the Loons will build some momentum and end the year with some optimism for the future. With recent…
-
Match Preview: Chicago Fire vs. Minnesota United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Chicago Fire vs. Minnesota United FCWith playoff hopes looking extremely slim, now appears to be the time for Minnesota to pull on the lab coats and start experimenting. The team has restocked its shelves over the last month with a glut of midfielders and a couple of defensive options. It is time to begin thinking beyond just this season and…
-
Match Preview: Seattle Sounders FC vs. Minnesota United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Seattle Sounders FC vs. Minnesota United FCMinnesota United used a week off to restock its cupboards as the transfer window closed. The Seattle Sounders used the past week to continue an MLS unbeaten streak that began after its June 17 loss to NYCFC and ascend to the top of the Western Conference. The Loons will need a combination of improved tactics,…