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Category: The Angle
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Minnesota United’s Summer Friendly Values Reward over Risk
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Minnesota United’s Summer Friendly Values Reward over RiskOn Wednesday morning, Minnesota United announced that it will play host to Liga MX side Atlas FC. This won’t be the first summer friendly in the Loons’ recent history, but no longer playing in a league with a midseason break complicates matters for Minnesota. Rafael Márquez must have really missed Major League Soccer. The Atlas FC captain…
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The Adventures of Doug Rugley, Football Manager: Episode One
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: The Adventures of Doug Rugley, Football Manager: Episode OneThis 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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The Tailgate: Christian Ramirez Left Off Gold Cup Roster
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: The Tailgate: Christian Ramirez Left Off Gold Cup RosterThis week, we ask the fans: “Minnesota United striker Christian Ramirez was not included in USMNT coach Bruce Arena’s preliminary 40 man Gold Cup roster despite strong performances in MLS and across the last few years in NASL. What’s your take on Ramirez’s Gold Cup snub?” “I’m sorry to say it, but this makes…
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Six, Eight, and 10 Things: Minnesota United at Sporting Kansas City
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Six, Eight, and 10 Things: Minnesota United at Sporting Kansas CityOn Saturday, as you no doubt probably saw, Minnesota United FC played their worst game of the season, apart from those other games, against Sporting Kansas City. It was an excruciating match to watch from a Minnesota perspective. At one end, the hosts scored three goals that should never have been allowed to happen. At…
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Christian Ramirez’s Gold Cup Snub Makes No Sense
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Christian Ramirez’s Gold Cup Snub Makes No SenseMinnesota United’s star striker, Christian Ramirez, has always been playing with a chip on his shoulder and it looks like that isn’t going to change. When Bruce Arena submitted his 40-man long list for the Gold Cup squad, he left off the top American goalscorer over the last three seasons. At every stage of Ramirez’s…
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The Tailgate: MNUFC Eyeing Sam Nicholson
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: The Tailgate: MNUFC Eyeing Sam NicholsonThis week, we ask the fans: “Scottish left winger Sam Nicholson has arrived in the Twin Cities and Minnesota United is rumored to be the frontrunner to sign the player, though he would not be eligible until the transfer window opens July 10th. What’s your take on United’s newest target?” “It’s about time we…
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Three Transfer Takes: Minnesota United vs Orlando City
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Three Transfer Takes: Minnesota United vs Orlando CityOn Saturday evening, Minnesota United FC returned to winning ways, edging the visiting Lions of Orlando City SC 1-0. It was, in notable respects, a reverse of the previous week’s loss to the LA Galaxy. In that match, Minnesota had thoroughly outplayed its guests, yet came away empty handed. This past week, the Loons were…
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The Tailgate: Galaxy Blast United Turf as Worst in MLS
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: The Tailgate: Galaxy Blast United Turf as Worst in MLSThis week, we ask the fans: “Following the LA Galaxy’s 2-1 defeat of Minnesota United at TCF Bank Stadium, Jelle Van Damme labeled the turf ‘the worst field I ever played on in this league’ while head coach Curt Onalfo suggested the surface was at fault for the injuries his team suffered. What is your…
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Two Things: Minnesota United at Toronto FC
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Two Things: Minnesota United at Toronto FCHow to assess Minnesota’s 2-3 loss to Toronto FC last weekend? It’s easy to make some excuses for the Reds. They were on the back-end of a three-game week, and had to make three injury substitutions (with a few other players struggling). They were there for the taking, and the Loons couldn’t do it. But…
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The Tailgate: Kevin Molino Bags a Brace
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: The Tailgate: Kevin Molino Bags a BraceThis week, we ask the fans: “Despite Minnesota taking a loss against Toronto, Kevin Molino was able to find his scoring boots and netted twice against the league leaders. What is your take on Molino’s return to form?” “Obviously he did well, because he doesn’t have that tainted NASL blood coursing through his veins.” Chip…
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Rewind That: Both Indispensables Step up for Minnesota United
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Rewind That: Both Indispensables Step up for Minnesota UnitedIn its third nationally televised match, Minnesota United FC stuffed Western Conference rival Sporting Kansas City. It was a complete performance, with both sides of the ball clicking on all cylinders. Can this performance be replicated? Everything is trending upward for Minnesota United. For the first time, the Loons were able to coordinate a stout…
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The Tailgate: NPSL North Kicks off This Week
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: The Tailgate: NPSL North Kicks off This WeekThis week, we ask the fans: “The newly formed National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) North begins play this weekend, with teams from around the northern Midwest vying to become champions of its inaugural season. What’s your take on the next level of soccer kicking off?” “So NPSL is like the fourth tier? Wait, so they stop…
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Three Things: Minnesota United vs. Sporting Kansas City
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Three Things: Minnesota United vs. Sporting Kansas CityBefore Minnesota United FC’s three-game homestand, I figured six points would be an acceptable result. I suspected the Loons would beat Colorado, beat San Jose, and lose to Sporting Kansas City. But MLS is a funny league, and things routinely don’t go to plan. So it was with United’s loss to the Quakes, and so…