FiftyFive.One
• Voices From Soccer's North •
Category: The Angle
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Minnesota’s Brent Kallman at Home in Starting Lineup
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Minnesota’s Brent Kallman at Home in Starting LineupAs the 2015 season dwindled to a close during a disappointing NASL Championship semifinal defeat, Minnesota United began to lick their wounds and reassess the roster. During the season, injuries forced Manny Lagos into cobbling together a backline with midfielder/captain Aaron Pitchkolan drafted into the role. The team sorely needed to find a centerback who could…
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Soccering 102: An Introduction to Wingers
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Soccering 102: An Introduction to WingersFor people getting into soccer, it can sometimes be hard to understand the lingo used in the game. Most people understand the basics of the game, eleven to a side, can’t use your hands, even offside is pretty well understood. But when soccer writers start using terms like false-nine, overlapping fullbacks, and sweeper-keeper, it can…
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Designated Report: Los Angeles Galaxy
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Designated Report: Los Angeles GalaxyJeff Rueter examines the history of the Los Angeles Galaxy’s Designated Players in his ongoing series. Between the brightest stars the league has drawn in, the question must be asked: can anyone derail the Galaxy from claiming the league’s best rating? I think it’s time that we admit the reality about the league’s 2007 Designated Player…
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Diversity in Our Stands Is About Outreach, Not Songs
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Diversity in Our Stands Is About Outreach, Not SongsOn July 12, the New York Times published an article by Jay Caspian Kang that puts forward the following thesis: MLS supporters culture has co-opted aspects of European (by which he means English) football culture historically tied to racist hooliganism. He also adds that this Euro-philia has turned away Latinos (by which he means Mexicans) as potential…
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Poku and the Age of Panic in the NASL
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Poku and the Age of Panic in the NASLKwadwo Poku’s $700k transfer to Miami FC (on the heels of their $750k signing of Richie Ryan) has caused a frenzy of weeping and gnashing of teeth. But is it a sign of NASL growth or the soccer-pocalypse?* I have a new favorite past-time. Whenever I’m chatting with a player, coach, or anyone else professionally…
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Designated Report: New England Revolution
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Designated Report: New England RevolutionFrom Milton Caraglio to Kei Kamara, Jeff Rueter examines the history of New England Revolution’s Designated Players in his ongoing series. Over the past six weeks, I’ve been looking at a wide array of MLS clubs and their usage of the Designated Player rule. While each club was an inaugural figure in the league, they’ve…
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The Cards that Rile Us Up
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: The Cards that Rile Us UpBack on the 10th of April, the defending MLS champion Portland Timbers took a highly hyped trip to Stubhub Center to play the LA Galaxy. The holders versus the odds-on favorites for the 2016 crown. The match got top billing – a primetime spot on Fox Sports One. The referee for the match was Allen…
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Amid Uncertain Future, Christian Ramirez Keeps Scoring
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Amid Uncertain Future, Christian Ramirez Keeps ScoringLoons striker Christian Ramirez has changed his role, his striker partners, and does not have a contract for next year. What doesn’t change? His strike rate. If the year 2016 has proven anything so far, it’s that it’s impossible to predict anything. Music icons David Bowie and Prince both passed away well before their times.…
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We Finally Know What To Do With J.C. Banks
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: We Finally Know What To Do With J.C. BanksTwo straight matches against better-than-NASL opposition have shown us one thing: J.C. Banks belongs in central midfield. It hasn’t been the biggest problem Carl Craig or Manny Lagos have faced in the past year and a half. All the same, it’s been there, lingering. What to do with J.C. Banks? When the Loons acquired him, the Milwaukee…
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Designated Report: San Jose Earthquakes
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Designated Report: San Jose EarthquakesIn our ongoing series, Jeff Rueter examines the history of San Jose Earthquakes’ designated players. The Goonies have only made a few designated player purchases: some unknowns, a flop, and a Wondolowski. San Jose has a niche as a sneaky-difficult club to play against. On paper, the California Clasico should be a heavily one-sided affair…
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Minnesota’s Jackson Yueill Breaks Out of the Shadows: Ready to Turn Pro
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Minnesota’s Jackson Yueill Breaks Out of the Shadows: Ready to Turn ProTo say the 2015/2016 soccer season was a breakout year for Minnesota’s Jackson Yueill would be an understatement. Yueill is on the brink of a promising career and he reveals to FiftyFive.One that he is ready to take his first professional steps. Over the past year, he earned multiple call-ups to the US Men’s U-18 team…
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Looking Back on the NASL Spring Season, Ahead Towards the Fall Campaign
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Looking Back on the NASL Spring Season, Ahead Towards the Fall CampaignTwo weeks have elapsed since the close of the NASL spring season, and one week remains until the fall season kicks off. We’re in the middle of that wonderful limbo in which we can look back on the results of the spring with something approaching hindsight, yet with no knowledge of how events in the…
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Designated Report: New York Red Bulls
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Designated Report: New York Red BullsIn our on-going series, Jeff Rueter examines the history of New York Red Bull’s designated players: from hero to villain, star to flop, Henry to Marquez. Without thinking, name your favorite world soccer superstar. Messi? Ronaldo? Zlatan? Odds are good that they’ve been linked to one of three MLS markets: Los Angeles, Miami (coming soon! Maybe?),…