FiftyFive.One
• Voices From Soccer's North •
Category: The Angle
-
Opinion: The NASL Must Change Course to Avoid Collapse
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Opinion: The NASL Must Change Course to Avoid CollapseIt’s been a bad year for NASL — Rayo OKC is on life support, Fort Lauderdale pays its players late, Minnesota is leaving, Ottawa is rumored to be leaving — Alex Schieferdecker argues that the only way to save the league is to change course. Ever since its split from the USL and certification as the American…
-
Designated Report: Toronto FC
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Designated Report: Toronto FCJeff Rueter examines the history of Toronto FC’s Designated Players in his ongoing series. Toronto has one of the most fascinating profiles of any expansion side in MLS history. For the first eight years of their existence, they were hapless. With mismanagement around every turn, the Reds failed to make the postseason in their first…
-
Carl’s Corner: The Best Quotes of 2016 (so far)
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Carl’s Corner: The Best Quotes of 2016 (so far)Every week that I put together the training report, I’m blessed by covering a team with a head coach who isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind. A lot of coaches will rely on well-worn cliches and avoid anything that might be seen as inflammatory. Carl Craig, a brilliant tactical mind with loads of…
-
Training Report: …Death, Taxes, and Justin Davis at Left Back
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Training Report: …Death, Taxes, and Justin Davis at Left BackAs the NASL hits the home stretch, Minnesota United has yet to establish a consistent starting XI. There’s been very little certainty as to who’s available to start due to injury and suspension woes. The most classic blunder is to never start a land war in Asia. Carl Craig refuses to fall victim to another…
-
Designated Report: Houston Dynamo
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Designated Report: Houston DynamoJeff Rueter examines the history of the Houston Dynamo Designated Players in his ongoing series. As promised, welcome back to the usual installments of the Designated Report. Formed as the relocated first incarnation of the San Jose Earthquakes, the Dynamo were, well, an absolutely dynamo for their first seven years, winning two MLS Cups and finishing as…
-
In Unique Market, Twellman and Vermes give input on MNUFC Roster Building
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: In Unique Market, Twellman and Vermes give input on MNUFC Roster BuildingWith Minnesota United’s entrance into MLS in 2017 secured, the team and fans can turn their attention in earnest to what that first-kick roster might look like. People will closely be watching how the Loons use their three designated player spots. We’ve spoken to a few outside observers, Peter Vermes and Taylor Twellman, to get…
-
Villarreal’s Mukwelle Akale Taking His Chances After Graduating from Youth Team
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Villarreal’s Mukwelle Akale Taking His Chances After Graduating from Youth TeamIn late June, Mukwelle Akale finished a very hectic 2015/2016 season. It was followed up by a busy and far too short summer in Minnesota. Now he’s back with his team in Spain and determined to take his chances as he moves up from the youth team. Akale has now been with Villarreal in Spain for 19…
-
Opinion: Nothing Is Perfect And All We Have Is Each Other
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Opinion: Nothing Is Perfect And All We Have Is Each OtherThis past week has been a lot of everything and a lot of nothing at once. On the field, Minnesota United FC seemed listless. Off the field, the onrushing MLS expansion party was clouded by the remaining legal and political barriers to the team’s stadium deal. And then, all at once, everything and nothing happened.…
-
Q&A: Nick Rogers Looking Forward to MLS in 2017
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Q&A: Nick Rogers Looking Forward to MLS in 2017The wait is over. After months of speculation, Minnesota United fans know a lot more about the future of the team. While we know the who, what, when, and where about the team’s future, many of the details about those decisions are still a mystery. Minnesota United president Nick Rogers took the time to answer…
-
Opinion: Minnesota (United) FC is Focused on Stadium/MLS, Not 2016 on Field Success
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Opinion: Minnesota (United) FC is Focused on Stadium/MLS, Not 2016 on Field SuccessThis might be an unpopular opinion, but I’m going to say it anyway. Minnesota United’s on-field success in 2016 really isn’t that important.* There is a big asterisk in that opinion, but it’s true. Minnesota United FC, as an organization, is more concerned with getting a stadium deal done and moving to MLS in 2017…
-
Pride and Prejudice: A Minnesota United Stadium Story – Part III
Continue Reading: Pride and Prejudice: A Minnesota United Stadium Story – Part IIIIn preparation for Minnesota United’s MLS announcement this coming Friday, FiftyFive.One is bringing you a three part series that originally appeared in its entirety in the 2015 year in review book of Minnesota United called the Complete Darkness. It’s published by FiftyFive.One’s parent company, Byline Press. There are still copies available which can be ordered…
-
Opinon: Everybody Chill Out
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Opinon: Everybody Chill OutOne of the great things about being on vacation in another country (especially when you’re in a place that speaks a different language), is that you can check out a lot of things that are going on in the world. For example, I haven’t seen any news about the American presidential election since Friday. So…
-
Pride and Prejudice: A Minnesota United Stadium Story – Part II
Continue Reading: Pride and Prejudice: A Minnesota United Stadium Story – Part IIIn preparation for Minnesota United’s MLS announcement this coming Friday, FiftyFive.One is bringing you a three part series that originally appeared in its entirety in the 2015 year in review book of Minnesota United called the Complete Darkness. It’s published by FiftyFive.One’s parent company, Byline Press. There are still copies available which can be ordered…