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Category: The Angle
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Alan Willey, A Reluctant Hero
Continue Reading: Alan Willey, A Reluctant HeroOn a sweltering August evening in 1978, Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota was buzzing. The 45,863 fans were still streaming in from epic tailgate parties. The smell of charcoal briquettes and seared meat still lingered over the switchback ramps to the stadium’s upper levels. As you rose higher you could scan the Thunderbird Hotel with…
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Ideas About How Minnesota United Could Break The Bad Stadium Mold
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Ideas About How Minnesota United Could Break The Bad Stadium MoldThis article was originally published on Streets.mn. When I was a junior in college, I studied abroad in Oslo, Norway. I lived in a student housing village a distance away from campus, nearer to the vast woods in the city’s backyard than to the bustling center. The closest landmark to my flat was Ullevål Stadion,…
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Minnesota: A Rich Soccer History
Continue Reading: Minnesota: A Rich Soccer HistoryNo one would argue that the names: Kicks, Strikers, Thunder, Stars and Minnesota United FC are synonymous with Minnesota soccer. These are all names of professional teams that have made their mark in the state over the last 40 years. However, the pro teams tell only part of the story of a rich soccer history…
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Defense of MLS Ambition – Part 2
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Defense of MLS Ambition – Part 2In Part 1, we looked at the heart of the argument that MLS is destined to be a “minor” league. The arguments of the naysayers do not withstand scrutiny. But dismissing negativity is not the same thing and proving MLS can be a globally competitive league. Here, we review why soccer in the US, and…
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In Defense of MLS Ambition
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: In Defense of MLS AmbitionIs it aggressive or naive for MLS to want to compete globally? Stefan Szymanski, author of Soccernomics and professor at the University of Michigan, expressed his thoughts in a recent article on his blog. He argues that MLS cannot move from its low status as long as MLS seeks parity and team cooperation. His solution…
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Sense Of Community Drives Dr. Bill McGuire’s Passion for Soccer
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Sense Of Community Drives Dr. Bill McGuire’s Passion for SoccerTwo and a half years ago I sat down with Dr. Bill McGuire for the first time. We met at the Sea Change bar, which is located at the Guthrie Theater, one of his favorite philanthropic causes. Adjacent to the theater is Gold Medal Park, and next door is the memorial to those who died…
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Opinion: MLS Must Unite, Not Divide, Minnesota
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Opinion: MLS Must Unite, Not Divide, MinnesotaOn Wednesday morning, news broke that representatives from Sacramento, Las Vegas, and Minnesota will pitch their MLS expansion plans to league executives in New York City. It appears that these meetings will serve as a precursor to serious expansion talks at the league’s Board of Governors meetings on December 6th. Despite repeated denials and cautious language,…