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Category: The Angle
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Back to Basics
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Back to BasicsThis past week, Minnesota United turned in two toothless performances at home. This time, the beneficiary of the Loons’ struggles were the Houston Dynamo and the New York Red Bulls. Only thanks to some shameful finishing from the former did the Loons earn a point from these two matches. Minnesota’s scoreless streak now runs to…
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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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Will Expansion Side Minnesota United FC End up a Real Salt Lake or a Philadelphia Union?
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Will Expansion Side Minnesota United FC End up a Real Salt Lake or a Philadelphia Union?Before the season began, I spoke about all the things that I was looking forward to with Minnesota United FC in the first MLS season. As the season has progressed, I will admit my hope has wavered. In its place is a grim pessimism that Minnesota United FC is not a great team and won’t…
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Miami FC is the Heel That US Soccer Needs
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Miami FC is the Heel That US Soccer NeedsThe world of US Soccer is often a cuddly, friendly place. It has its share of buffoonery, bigotry, and cosplayed hooligan behavior, but for many soccer fans, the growth of soccer creates a generalized sense of goodwill to new, emerging markets. FC Cincinnati’s successes on and off the pitch have made it the USSF Furby…
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An Ode to John Alvbåge: Instagram Star
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: An Ode to John Alvbåge: Instagram StarWhen Minnesota United signed John Alvbåge, I was a bit disappointed. A 34-year-old coming off a disappointing season in the Allsvenskan? Really? When I saw him play, I was concerned. I think he moves his feet too much, prioritizing constant positional adjustments over simply being set for the shot. And when he started the year helpless…
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Minnesotan Amber O’Connor Continues Rise Through Referee Ranks
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Minnesotan Amber O’Connor Continues Rise Through Referee RanksOf the roughly 100 national referees in the U.S. Soccer Federation’s (USSF) program, 11 are women. When Bibiana Steinhaus draws the whistle to her lips at the start of next season’s Bundesliga, she will be the first woman to take charge in a major league. One Minnesota woman, Amber O’Connor, is making her own inroads into…
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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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VAR Is a Solution in Search of a Problem
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: VAR Is a Solution in Search of a ProblemAs FIFA has rolled out Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during the Confederations Cup this month, the debate has often centered around the larger role of technology at the center of the matches. The problem with VAR is not a problem of technology, but rather that it is a solution in search of a problem. Skynet…
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The Adventures of Doug Rugley, Episode Three: The Cup Runneth Over
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: The Adventures of Doug Rugley, Episode Three: The Cup Runneth OverThis is the story of one man’s valiant efforts to take the fledgling English side from the East part of Brighton, Whitehawk FC, up the English footballing pyramid in Football Manager 2017. This will not be pretty, but I will unflinchingly and bravely take the post and vow never to conveniently turn off my computer…
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(Almost) Everyone Was Wrong About Minnesota United’s NASL Players
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: (Almost) Everyone Was Wrong About Minnesota United’s NASL PlayersAs Minnesota United stepped onto the pitch this week to face up against the 2015 MLS Champions, it wasn’t quite David and Goliath, but it wasn’t that far off. A Loons squad replete with second division talent has torn up the book of clichés. In fact, it has succeeded on the backs of its former…
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The Adventures of Doug Rugley, Football Manager: Episode Two
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: The Adventures of Doug Rugley, Football Manager: Episode TwoThis is the story of one man’s valiant efforts to take the fledgling English side from the East part of Brighton, Whitehawk FC, up the English footballing pyramid in Football Manager 2017. This will not be pretty, but I will unflinchingly and bravely take the post and vow never to conveniently turn off my computer…
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Post-Mortem: Minnesota United Bombs out of U.S. Open Cup
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Post-Mortem: Minnesota United Bombs out of U.S. Open CupMinnesota United’s U.S. Open Cup run ended before it even started. Facing off against MLS rival Sporting Kansas City, the Loons conceded twice just before halftime and never came back. What does that tell us about what’s coming up? In some ways, Minnesota United’s 4-0 loss last night was easily foreseeable. Once the U.S. Open…
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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…