FiftyFive.One
• Voices From Soccer's North •
Author: David Martin
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Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Seattle Sounders FCWith the low bar of the Grant Wahl threshold safely cleared, Minnesota turns its sights to another milestone on Saturday: first consecutive wins. Seattle comes to town the epitome of an average team: just above the red line, middle of the pack in goals for and against, trudging through a MLS Cup hangover year affected…
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Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. New York Red Bulls
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. New York Red BullsMinnesota enters game three of a five-game home stand with one point to show for its hometown advantage. As duct taped and hot glued lineups have miraculously held opponents to one goal in the last two games, the cost has been on the offensive side, with the Loons unable to pick the lock once over…
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Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Houston Dynamo
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Houston DynamoMost MLS clubs use the Gold Cup break to get rested, get healthy, and get ready for the business half of the MLS season. Minnesota United, on the other hand, just kept taping more episodes of ER that haven’t aired yet. With a flood of injuries and absences, and with key reinforcements yet to clear…
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Five Things I Want to See Against Atlas FC
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Five Things I Want to See Against Atlas FCWhether you love to see new teams, see them as a cynical cash grab, or just fear for your favorite player’s life, it is officially MLS international friendly season. This year Minnesota United renews its friendly Mexican rivalry as it takes on Atlas FC. Friendlies offer a chance for the teams to not only earn…
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The Tailgate: CONCACAF Gold Cup Begins
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: The Tailgate: CONCACAF Gold Cup BeginsThis week, we ask the fans: “The CONCACAF Gold Cup — the premier international level soccer tournament of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean —kicks off on Friday. What is your take on this year’s competition?” “If there were any justice in this world, the winner would be promoted to South America and…
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Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Columbus Crew SC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Columbus Crew SCLike not a few MLS teams, Minnesota is Jekyll and Hyde depending on whether they are at home or on the road. Tuesday evening the Loons adopt their Dr. Jekyll form as they return home to face the Columbus Crew. United needs three points to keep pace in the competitive race for the final playoff…
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Match Preview: New York City FC vs. Minnesota United
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: New York City FC vs. Minnesota UnitedLike Bob Dylan, their Minnesotan spiritual forebear, United will head to New York City this week in search of that impossible dream. For the Loons, that dream is a road win against one of the league’s best teams. New York sit tied for third in the Supporters’ Shield race and has lost only once this…
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Actually, Minnesota United’s MLS Adventure Is off to a Good Start
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Actually, Minnesota United’s MLS Adventure Is off to a Good StartMinnesota United isn’t going to make the playoffs this year, and it never was. Anyone who has said that making the postseason should be the club’s benchmark for success just isn’t living on the same planet where MLS has evolved from a messy and wide open contest to a mature and challenging league. But it…
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Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FCThere’s no place like home. Even a threadbare and struggling team like Minnesota United is able to claim wins against teams like Sporting Kansas City and now Portland when playing at home. Another chance to claim a victory against an old Cascadian enemy beckons when Vancouver visits on Saturday. Can Minnesota gain momentum and win…
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Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Portland Timbers
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Portland TimbersWhile Minnesota is dreadful on the road (they are tied for the second worst away record in MLS) they have a respectable 12 points (of 21) at home this year. They will return home hoping desperately for relief against a Portland team which has not exactly set the world ablaze on the road this year.…
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Match Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United FCBoth teams have likely been looking forward to this game as a chance to break out of their respective nasty slumps. Real Salt Lake has lost its last three matches by scores of 5-1, 6-2, and 4-1 while Minnesota has been blanked 3-0 and 4-0 in two consecutive games against Sporting Kansas City. It should…
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The Tailgate: Minnesota United Begins U.S. Open Cup Campaign
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: The Tailgate: Minnesota United Begins U.S. Open Cup CampaignThis week, we ask the fans: “Minnesota United FC begins its first U.S. Open Cup tournament as an MLS side Wednesday against familiar foe Sporting Kansas City. What’s your take on the match, the tournament, and on Minnesota’s chances?” “There are pro/am golf tournaments, too. The only difference is the fans don’t drape spray painted…
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U.S. Open Cup Preview: Sporting Kansas City vs. Minnesota United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: U.S. Open Cup Preview: Sporting Kansas City vs. Minnesota United FCSeveral obvious questions loom heading into this match. Which teams will take the U.S. Open Cup seriously and which will field rotation-heavy squads? How will Minnesota United compensate for injury and international absences? How will each team adapt to what happened ten days ago in Kansas City, when the Loons were embarrassed by a deeper and more…