FiftyFive.One
• Voices From Soccer's North •
Tag: Ike Opara
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Matchdays Twenty-Three and US Open Cup Semi-Finals: Spark Joy
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Matchdays Twenty-Three and US Open Cup Semi-Finals: Spark JoyOne of the things that bound me (and I suspect many others) closely to the sport of soccer was the culture that was built up around clubs. Sports are fun regardless, and to some degree all teams, from the Boston Red Sox to the Vegas Golden Knights, create their own culture. But what’s exceptional in…
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Matchday Ten: Loons Hard To Read After Dramatic Week, Captivating Draw Against Seattle
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Matchday Ten: Loons Hard To Read After Dramatic Week, Captivating Draw Against SeattleWhat a week! Normally I use the opening section to discuss the weekend’s match, but I actually don’t have a lot to say about it. I thought it was a really fun game, a draw was probably the fair result, and that the atmosphere seemed to be kicked up a notch. Soccer is fun. But…
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Matchday Five: Minnesota Bounce Back, Beats Red Bulls With Grit Plus Luck
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Matchday Five: Minnesota Bounce Back, Beats Red Bulls With Grit Plus LuckGood? Bad? Is there even a word that encapsulates the Loons right now? One week after their worst performance of the season, a deflating 1-2 loss to bottom feeders New England, Minnesota United marched into the fortress of the defending Supporters Shield champs, and came away 2-1 winners. They will now head into their homecoming…
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After Productive Offseason, Loons Look Set For 2019, But Not Beyond
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: After Productive Offseason, Loons Look Set For 2019, But Not BeyondA couple months ago, after Minnesota United announced their roster cuts, I surveyed the wreckage of two years of a “soft open” approach to team building. The team’s roster had massive holes, especially in midfield and defense. Although the club did not move as swiftly and confidently as I expected, they have made five big…
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Preseason Match One: Loons and Phoenix Muddle Around, Settle For 0-0 Draw
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Preseason Match One: Loons and Phoenix Muddle Around, Settle For 0-0 DrawTechnically the Loons have already kicked off their preseason, winning a 9-2 scrimmage against incoming USL League One squad FC Tucson. But Saturday’s match against Phoenix felt far more like the season kickoff. There was a stream. There was Cal Williams. There was a stronger opponent—USL Championship runners up Phoenix Rising. At last, a long…
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Match Preview: Sporting Kansas City vs. Minnesota United FC
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Sporting Kansas City vs. Minnesota United FCA lot has changed since these teams last met at TCF Bank stadium a month ago. A lot has stayed the same, too. Sporting Kansas City no longer look like the league toppers with an impenetrable defense they did after April, and their road form shows the club has some major weaknesses. What has not…
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Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Sporting Kansas City
Categories: NewsContinue Reading: Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Sporting Kansas CityMinnesota was outdone last week by a compact and organized defense that put high pressure on the ball to win back possession. This week, they face a virtuosic master class in the same defensive approach. Sporting Kansas City has pitched an impressive six shutouts in nine games this year and has only allowed three goals all season without…