FiftyFive.One
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Tag: Christian Ramirez
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Matchday Five: Minnesota Can’t Find the Keys to Atlanta’s Bus
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Matchday Five: Minnesota Can’t Find the Keys to Atlanta’s BusDespite being up a man for fifty minutes, and dominant for seventy, Minnesota United came up short against a compact Atlanta United defense, on a night when the temperatures recalled last near’s ‘snowpener.’ It was a dispiriting evening for the Loons. It was a waste of a golden opportunity to get three points. But it…
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Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Atlanta United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Atlanta United FCThere were plenty of caveats to Minnesota’s wins against Orlando and Chicago. There were plenty of asterisks to Minnesota’s surrender to New York. So what is one to make of such wildly divergent results? The answer is probably to remove all those asterisks. Soccer in general, and MLS specifically, offers a new set of caveats…
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Matchday Four: Minnesota Soundly Beaten by an Altogether Superior New York Red Bulls Team
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Matchday Four: Minnesota Soundly Beaten by an Altogether Superior New York Red Bulls TeamThis week’s matchday notes and analysis comes a bit later than usual, as I spent the post-match hours driving down the New Jersey Turnpike from Harrison, where I watched the game live. Unfortunately for me, the Loons lost, which makes them 0-6 when playing MLS teams while I am in attendance. I may be the…
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Matchday Three: Minnesota Bury Chicago In Dominant Second Half, Continue Impressive Form
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Matchday Three: Minnesota Bury Chicago In Dominant Second Half, Continue Impressive FormIt was a completely different home opener for Minnesota United FC in their second year in MLS. The sun was shining, the temperature was well above freezing, and the team on the field looked—dare we say it?—downright good. The previous Saturday, the Loons turned in a classic road performance and emerged clutching three points in…
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Matchday Two: Loons Show Guts, Earn Glory In Excellent Road Win Against Orlando
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Matchday Two: Loons Show Guts, Earn Glory In Excellent Road Win Against OrlandoIn the annals of Minnesota United history, Saturday night’s 2-1 road win against the Lions of Orlando City was not one of the most important, nor one of the most beautiful. But it surely must count as one of the most satisfying. Adrian Heath, for one, will be absolutely ecstatic in defeating his former club…
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Match Preview: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United FCThe votes are in, and confidence in Minnesota United’s 2018 MLS season is officially low. Season-opening power rankings consistently put the Loons at or near the bottom of the table this year. But for all the challenges in 2017, some of the most memorable moments came from overcoming low expectations: beating the Grant Wahl mark,…
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Preseason Game Three: Minnesota Provide Bodies For Columbus Crew Training Exercise
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Preseason Game Three: Minnesota Provide Bodies For Columbus Crew Training ExerciseFor about thirty minutes on Saturday evening, Minnesota United looked like a team that was figuring some things out. Against ball-dominant, attacking-focused Atlanta on Wednesday night, the Loons (probably smartly) attempted to bunker and to counter. Against a more balanced Columbus Crew SC side, they committed to building out of the back, passing on the…
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FiftyFive.One Best of 2017: Award Winners
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: FiftyFive.One Best of 2017: Award WinnersWith 2017 having come to a close, FiftyFive.One is honoring Minnesota’s best soccer players. Last month, we released the shortlist of nominees across six categories. Readers voted for their favorites, and now it is time to announce the winners. Gophers Player of the Year: Sydney Squires Squires’ 2017 season could be described as prolific. On…
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News in Brief: Players’ Problems in the NASL, MLS Roster Updates, and More
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: News in Brief: Players’ Problems in the NASL, MLS Roster Updates, and MoreLower leagues and player problems According to Neil Morris both Miami FC and the Jacksonville Armada, currently of the NASL, are planning on moving to the NPSL. Combined that with the announcement of NASL’s move to a winter calendar, and players are left with a problem, writes Jeff Rueter. The NASL was a place for…
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News in Brief: MLS SuperDraft Day, MNUFC’s Countdown to Kickoff, and More
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: News in Brief: MLS SuperDraft Day, MNUFC’s Countdown to Kickoff, and MoreDraft day is upon us The 2018 MLS SuperDraft will take place today in Philadelphia. Minnesota United has three total selections in the first two rounds to bolster the roster. MNUFC selects fifth overall and also holds the 28th and 41st picks in the second round. Last year 81 players were selected, of which over…
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FiftyFive.One Best of 2017: Minnesota United FC Player of the Year
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: FiftyFive.One Best of 2017: Minnesota United FC Player of the YearNow that 2017 has come to a close, FiftyFive.One is honoring the best Minnesota soccer players. This week, we’ll release the shortlist of nominees across six categories. Readers can vote for their favorites with the winners announced next week. 2017 was full of ups and downs for Minnesota United FC, but on an individual level,…
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News in Brief: Sporting KC Front Office, USMNT, MLS Combine, and More
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: News in Brief: Sporting KC Front Office, USMNT, MLS Combine, and MoreFirst MLS female assistant director of player personnel Sporting KC have hired Meghan Cameron to be their assistant director of player personnel. Ms. Cameron has worked for eight years managing contracts and budgets while also having some coaching duties. Head coach Peter Vermes, a fellow Rutgers alum, specifically contacted her about the role. Christian Ramirez:…
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Christian Ramirez: No Luck Required
Categories: The AngleContinue Reading: Christian Ramirez: No Luck RequiredIn The Complete Darkness 2015, I profiled Minnesota United FC striker Christian Ramirez and until now that article was available only in print. Then, Ramirez was the more gregarious, but less lauded of the Batman and Superman pairing of he and Miguel Ibarra. Afterall, I started the profile when I needed to get Miguel to…