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Articles by Bill Stenross
Matchday Four: Clueless Minnesota Embarrassed By New England – FiftyFive.One
Photo Credit: @MNUFC News by Alex Schieferdecker on 1 April 2019 Okay, are we so sure the Loons are not bad? Were we all too quick to decide, as I wrote after the opener, that Minnesota are on track to exceed expectations? Depends on your definition of expectations. On Twitter following United’s unacceptable capitulation against the New England Revolution, I had a back and forth with 55.1’s very own Bill Stenross.
NEvMIN Open Game Thread – FiftyFive.One
News by Alex Schieferdecker on 30 March 2019 Key Info When? – 1:00 p.m. CDT, Saturday, March 30 Where? – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA How to Watch? Fox Sports North Plus How to Listen?
WCIS 187: Don't Look Back In Anger – FiftyFive.One
We Call It Soccer! Media by Nachiket Karnik on 20 March 2019 It might have been a loss for MNUFC, but there are some positives to take away from Los Angeles. We cover that game before giving you our weekly round-up of MLS followed by the latest from the European leagues. Tags: Bundesliga, MLS, MNUFC, podcast, Premier League, season preview, Two United Fans, USMNT, We Call It Soccer
Matchday Three: Minnesota Put Under Pressure By Galaxy, Beaten For First Time In 2019 – FiftyFive.One
Photo Credit: @MNUFC News by Alex Schieferdecker on 18 March 2019 Are the Loons mediocre? Maybe. They’re still not bad. Minnesota fans now what bad looks like. But after a 2-3 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy, the air should come out of some of the slightly silly hype that swirled around this team after their opening two wins of the season. The Loons are winning some of the games that they couldn’t win last year. Chiefly: they are beating new and bad teams on the road.
Minnesota Loses for First Time in 2018, 3-2 to LA Galaxy – FiftyFive.One
Photo courtesy Minnesota United FC News by Bill Stenross on 17 March 2019 The third time was not the charm, and Minnesota fell for the first time in 2018 3-2 away in Carson, California. A penalty goal by Jonathan Dos Santos, and goals by Sebastian Lletget and Chris Pontius were enough to give the three points to the home side. For the third straight week, Minnesota came out with the same lineup. Against Vancouver and San Jose that lineup helped the team start the season out with two wins.
LAvMIN Open Game Thread – FiftyFive.One
How to Watch? Fox Sports North Plus How to Listen? SKOR North Official Hashtag: #LAvMIN Follow us at @FiveFiftyOne! Support local journalism! Lend your eyeballs and clicks to soccer coverage! Calculated rushes by Minnesota United’s outside backs create chances, anxiety – Star Tribune Minnesota United looks to correct lack of player development – Pioneer Press Assessing MNUFC’s swap of Ramirez for Rodríguez, seven months later – The Athletic
Why Start a Soccer Club? Guest Post by Dan Hoedeman – FiftyFive.One
photo courtesy Minneapolis City News, The Angle by Bill Stenross on 14 March 2019 This is the sixth (I think…) in a series of articles that take a look inside what it’s like to run a lower division club. In this article I talk marketing. It’s personal for me because it’s my day job and, though I know it’s boring and cliche, I really love the craft of what I do so doing it for City is a blast.
WCIS 185: It's A Jungle Out There – FiftyFive.One
We Call It Soccer! Media by Nachiket Karnik on 13 March 2019 Things are getting cagey in the second week of MLS. We bring you our thoughts on how teams are doing before giving you a quick review on soccer from the rest of the world. You can subscribe to WCIS on the following platforms: iTunes Feed Stitcher Radio Tags: Bundesliga, MLS, MNUFC, podcast, Premier League, season preview, Two United Fans, USWNT, We Call It Soccer
Matchday Two: Loons Overcome San Jose Bogeys With Emphatic Win – FiftyFive.One
News by Alex Schieferdecker on 11 March 2019 Are the Loons good? Here’s what we know so far, through two games on the road: they’re not bad. With Saturday night’s 3-0 thumping of the San Jose Earthquakes on the heels of last weekend’s win in Vancouver, the Loons have already surpassed last season’s entire win and point total on the road. They also won their first ever game in California, and their first ever game against San Jose. That’s a lot of monkeys being shrugged off for just two games.
SJvMIN Open Game Thread – FiftyFive.One
Key Info When? – 7:00 p.m. CDT, Saturday, March 9 Where? – Avaya Stadium, San Jose, CA How to Watch? Fox Sports North How to Listen? SKOR North Social Official Hashtag: #SJvMIN Follow us at @FiveFiftyOne! Team Accounts Minnesota United FC – @mnufc San Jose Earthquakes – @SJEarthquakes Live Updates MNUFC Gameday – @mnunitedgameday Reads Support local journalism! Lend your eyeballs and clicks to soccer coverage! Does remade Minnesota United have mental resolve to win more on the road?
Building a Schedule the Minneapolis City SC way [By Dan Hoedeman] – FiftyFive.One
News, The Angle by Guest Contributor on 5 March 2019 This is the fifth in a series of articles that take a look inside what it’s like to run one a lower division club. Because it’s topical, let’s talk scheduling. With our season schedule announced—and season tickets available for purchase—it seems topical to dive into how we get games on our schedule. The bulk of the schedule is easy.
Minnesota United FC Starts Strong, Beats Vancouver Whitecaps 3-2 on the Road – FiftyFive.One
Photo courtesy Minnesota United FC. News by Bill Stenross on 3 March 2019 Minnesota United FC started their 2019 campaign and five game road trip strong, beating fellow Western Conference side Vancouver Whitecaps 3-2. Darwin Quintero converted a penalty and Francisco Calvo and Romario Ibarra added goals in the second half to give Minnesota the victory. The third year of the three year plan comes with high expectations.
Your MN United Midway Stadium Parking Explainer – FiftyFive.One
Underutilized weekend and evening parking is common in the Midway area. Photo credit: Brian Quarstad News by Brian Quarstad on 1 March 2016 The question of where fans who drive to Minnesota United FC games will park is one that promises to be with us for a while. Our own Brian Quarstad and Alex Schieferdecker examine where fans will park, and why the site plan doesn’t seem to provide it.
WCIS 182: The Taco Kit – FiftyFive.One
We Call It Soccer! This week we get into the latest news from MNUFC and MLS which mostly deals with jersey releases! Then we take you through the exciting week of European fixtures that included a phenomenally exciting Bundesliga matchday. Also, Two United Fans has a new website! Take a look at www.twounitedfans.com. You can subscribe to WCIS on the following platforms: iTunes Feed Google Play Podcasts Stitcher Radio Tags: Bundesliga, jerseys, MLS, MNUFC, Premier League
After Productive Offseason, Loons Look Set For 2019, But Not Beyond – FiftyFive.One
News by Alex Schieferdecker on 11 February 2019 A 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 player acquisitions, all of whom will top the depth chart in their positions.
Preseason Match Two: Minnesota and Houston Slump To Two-Hour 0-0 Draw – FiftyFive.One
Photo Credit: @CalWilliamsComm News by Alex Schieferdecker on 7 February 2019 Minnesota United wrapped up their preseason slate in the desert on Wednesday, running out almost the entire roster in 120 minutes against the Houston Dynamo. Despite the additional time and the match-up of two teams not known for defense, the evening passed without a single goal scored for either side.
HOUvMIN Open Preseason Game Thread – FiftyFive.One
How to Watch? Live Stream How to Listen? No radio broadcast Official Hashtag: #HOUvMIN Follow us at @FiveFiftyOne! For Minnesota United FC, trip to Tucson marks the start of special spring – Arizona Daily Star
WCIS 181: A Very Phallic Episode – FiftyFive.One
Things devolve pretty quickly this week as we take you through MNUFC’s preseason games before heading off to discuss the latest MLS signings. We take a quick roll through the EPL and then discuss a crazy matchday Bundesliga. Also, Two United Fans has a new website! Take a look at www.twounitedfans.com. You can subscribe to WCIS on the following platforms:
Preseason Match One: Loons and Phoenix Muddle Around, Settle For 0-0 Draw – FiftyFive.One
Photo Credit: @MNUFC News by Alex Schieferdecker on 3 February 2019 Technically 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.
#PHXvMIN Open Preseason Game Thread – FiftyFive.One
How to Watch? Live Stream How to Listen? No radio broadcast Official Hashtag: #PHXvMIN Follow us at @FiveFiftyOne!
Complete Darkness 2018 now Available for Pre-Order – FiftyFive.One
News, The Angle by Bill Stenross on 29 January 2019 FiftyFive.One and Byline Press is happy to announce the fourth edition of The Complete Darkness. Filled with every detail we could cram in from the Minnesota United FC 2018 MLS season, it’s a must for any fan of Minnesota United. When we created the first Complete Darkness book about the 2014 season, in our headiest moments we imagined a shelf filled with our books detailing seasons far into the future.
Why Players Pick Minneapolis City SC by Dan Hoedeman – FiftyFive.One
News, The Angle by Guest Contributor on 23 January 2019 This is the fourth in a series of articles that take a look inside what it’s like to run one a lower division club. It’s focused on the playing side of things: mainly, our mission and what it takes to be competitive in the NPSL. Last season, we won our conference without taking a loss, with a record number of points, as the highest-scoring team in the country, using only players from the Twin Cities.
OPINION: Agustin Rossi and the Gaps in Modern Sport – FiftyFive.One
News, The Angle by Bill Stenross on 21 January 2019 On this Martin Luther King, Jr Day, I find myself pondering 3 different, yet connected thoughts. First is the news, expertly reported on by E Plurbus Loonum, of the saga of Agustín Rossi’s failed signing with Minnesota United FC. The second, another local team, the Timberwolves, blasting social media with images of a credibly accused rapist in an effort to get him elected to the NBA All-Star game.
WCIS 179 - Special Guest Scott Kerssen – FiftyFive.One
We Call It Soccer! Media by Nachiket Karnik on 16 January 2019 This week longtime Minnesota stalwart Scott Kerssen joins us to discuss the early days of soccer support in the United States, the burgeoning of the MN Thunder and how he was able to land a role as a player researcher for the Thunders, Stars and MNUFC. Included are stories of tailgates at Met Stadium and busting fake players sending doctored videos to scouts.
Show me the Money: A Deep Dive Into Minneapolis City SC's Revenue Sources by Dan Hoedeman – FiftyFive.One
News, The Angle by Guest Contributor on 11 January 2019 This is the third in a series of articles that take a look inside what it’s like to run one a lower division club by Dan Hoedeman, co-founder of Minneapolis City SC. We’ll take a look at the revenue piece of the business as a super-interesting prelude to next article which talks about the sporting side, which involved less math. The other day I was speaking with someone who was considering starting a lower division club.
Minnesota United FC's 2019 Schedule: By The Numbers – FiftyFive.One
Photo by Daniel Mick. News, The Angle by Bill Stenross on 7 January 2019 With the full season schedule finally released, followers of Minnesota United FC can finally start to picture what this year will look like. We’ve done a deep dive into the schedule, looking for the best away matches, home stretches, and everything else we could think of.
"NPSL is a Battle, Sometimes Literally:" Dan Hoedeman Answers Why NPSL for a Club Like Minneapolis City SC – FiftyFive.One
News, The Angle by Bill Stenross on 2 January 2019 This is the second in a series of articles that take a look inside what it’s like to run a lower division club. It was written by Dan Hoedeman, one of the cofounders of Minneapolis City SC. In December Minneapolis City SC attended the NPSL Annual Owner’s Meeting. While the league staff do a fantastic job of making the meeting an event, in truth it’s about the unglamorous business of running a club-owned league.
Everyone Won, Also Nobody Won, In Crew Saga – FiftyFive.One
Photo by Jay Eyem The Angle by Alex Schieferdecker on 30 December 2018 The Crew are saved. After over a year of suspense, fans in Columbus finally received official confirmation this week that their club was being coaxed from the vulturous grasp of former owner-operator Anthony Precourt. Instead, a new ownership group led by the Haslams, who own the Cleveland Browns, and the Edwards family of Columbus, will assume operation of the team.
"A Look Inside the People's Club": Forecasting Year 4 for Minneapolis City SC by Dan Hoedeman – FiftyFive.One
News, The Angle by Guest Contributor on 28 December 2018 This is the first in a series of articles that take a look inside what it’s like to run Minneapolis City SC, a lower division club, from the perspective of Dan Hoedeman, a club founder. He is very involved in the day-to-day operations across the sporting and business side of the club.
WCIS 177: It's a Wonderful Lagos – FiftyFive.One
Everything’s quiet on the MNUFC front so we move swiftly onto the MLS talk. Nipun is back this week to give you a lower leagues round-up! We finish up with a round up of the English Premier league and the Bundesliga! You can subscribe to WCIS on the following platforms: Tags: Bundesliga, English Premier League, MLS, MNUFC, podcast, Two United Fans, USMNT, We Call It Soccer
WCIS 176: Schrödinger's Cronin – FiftyFive.One
We Call It Soccer! He’s here. He’s not here. He’s the next big thing. He’s not going to play. We don’t know what’s true but one thing’s for sure, don’t open the box to check. MLS Cup, EPL round-up, Bundesliga news and much more this week’s We Call It Soccer pod! You can subscribe to WCIS on the following platforms: iTunes Feed Google Play Podcasts Stitcher Radio Tags: Bundesliga, Copa Libertadores, English Premier League, MLS, MNUFC, podcast, Two United Fans, USMNT, We Call It Soccer
As Their Expansion Partners Lift The Cup, Loons Face Critical Third Year – FiftyFive.One
Photo Credit: Alex Schieferdecker News As Their Expansion Partners Lift The Cup, Loons Face Critical Third Year by Alex Schieferdecker on 10 December 2018 The 2018 MLS Season is now officially over. The Damned United are holding the cup, reaching the pinnacle of league success within just two years of existence. While the newly minted champions now face an uncertain offseason, with their coach and a number of star players leaving, this has been a moment that nobody can take away from them.
Guest Post: Atlanta's NERF Tradition is Terrible by Jim Oliver – FiftyFive.One
Jim Oliver, former President of the Dark Clouds, contacted us with this piece he wrote about Atlanta’s golden spike and asked us to share it on fiftyfive.one. We appreciated Jim’s unique view and way with words and were happy to oblige. Lots of people in the town that I’m from hate Atlanta United for what I think are dumb reasons.
WCIS 175 - NLD MSD – FiftyFive.One
It’s derby week at We Call It Soccer! We start in Europe this week taking in the North London and Merseyside derbies. Then we move on to world soccer before returning to the USMNT and MLS in Part 2. You can subscribe to WCIS on the following platforms: Tags: Bundesliga, Copa Libertadores, English Premier League, MLS, MNUFC, podcast, Two United Fans, USMNT, We Call It Soccer
WCIS 174: The First Cuts Are The Deepest – FiftyFive.One
Wave goodbye because your favorite players are leaving the roster. Non-playoff MLS teams announced their roster changes and we’ve got our reactions. The Conference Finals are also upon us and we ask: Does Atlanta United actually exist? Or is Global Warming real? We finish up this week’s episode with some conversation on the Bundesliga going upside-downiga and the Copa Libertadores drama.
WCIS 172: Live Show Feat. Megan Ryan and Bridget McDowell – FiftyFive.One
This episode of We Call It Soccer was recorded live at the Black Hart of Saint Paul. Joining us to recap MNUFC’s 2018 season were Megan Ryan from the Star Tribune and Bridget McDowell of MLS Female. You can subscribe to WCIS on the following platforms:
#CLBvMIN Open Game Thread – FiftyFive.One
When? – 33:30 p.m. CDT, Saturday, October 28 Where? – Mapfre Stadium, Columbus, OH How to Watch? Fox Sports North How to Listen?
United Fans React to Final Match at TCF – FiftyFive.One
Straight across the field from the Dark Clouds supporters’ section, the Loony Bin let visiting LA Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic know that Minnesota fans weren’t filling the stadium for him. “Hey, Zlatan. We’re not here for you! Hey, Zlatan. We’re not here for you!” The cheer came strong and steady each time the forward got too close to Minnesota United’s goal. This small section of fans wearing loon hats always chants breathlessly at opposing players. But this time was different.
Matchday Thirty: The Results Don't Matter, But The Loons Are Still Putting On A Show At Home – FiftyFive.One
For whatever reason, Saturday’s match really pressed home the realization that another Minnesota United season is coming to a close. It’s been a frustrating season, but also a joyous one. The club has won eleven games, including ten wonderwalls. Miguel Ibarra has come out of his shell and recorded his best season since 2014. Ibson scored a backheel nutmeg. Darwin Quintero came into our lives and chipped a bunch of goalkeepers.
#MINvNYC Open Game Thread – FiftyFive.One
When? – 7:00 p.m. CDT, Saturday, September 29 Where? – TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN How to Watch? Fox Sports North Plus How to Listen? 1500 ESPN Official hashtag: #MINvNYC Follow us at @FiveFiftyOne! Talented Brazilian soccer trio form budding partnership for Loons (Star Tribune) Minnesota United midfielder Fernando Bob took his name from a cartoon (Pioneer Press) Ángelo Rodríguez brings toughness and grit to Loons, but where are the goals?
The More Things Change...a Comparison Between the 2017 and 2018 MNUFC Seasons – FiftyFive.One
Minnesota United finds itself in a familiar position. With five matches left, their points per game, goals for, and goals against are tracking to be nearly the same as they were last year. For a team that admitted it got some things wrong last season, signed a number of new players in the off season, and have brought in two designated players, it is surprising that the results have remained similar.
Matchdays Twenty-Nine: Back At Home, Loons Return To Better Form – FiftyFive.One
But given the measures of success I wrote about last week, I was actually less satisfied with this recent Saturday’s performance. Maximiano started, but earned a yellow card that will see him suspended next weekend. Romario started, and scored twice, but also hurt himself. On loan, Mason Toye played 62 minutes for Colorado Springs, and Carter Manley played 60 minutes for Las Vegas. Wyatt Omsberg sat on the bench for the Loons and Collin Martin was not in the eighteen.
Minnesota United Jumps Out to Early Lead, Holds on For a 3-2 Victory Over Portland Timbers – FiftyFive.One
For Minnesota’s last two matches, young defender Wyatt Omsberg had acquitted himself well, but with Eric Miller finally healthy, the rookie again found himself on the bench. Between the posts stood Bobby Shuttleworth with Brent Kallman and Michael Boxall in front of him while Miller and Francisco Calvo played out wide. Central midfield featured Fernando Bob as the defensive midfielder along with Maximiano.
WCIS 162: Beer Company Antagonism Seven Days – FiftyFive.One
Drink Heineken you plebs. Only then can you grasp the intense passion exuded by MLS’ fiercest rivalries. In this episode we dig into these matches: Portland vs Seattle, LA vs LA, Kramer vs Kramer and (somehow) Philadelphia vs New England. We also get into the latest Loons match vs KC, cover NWSL matchups, look at the EPL and cruise through the rest of week’s soccer from around the world.
Fixing The Weather: A Way to Deal With the Disparate Climates Facing North American Soccer Clubs – FiftyFive.One
Last week, there was a thread going around about how MLS should adopt a fall-spring schedule, using average temperatures as a data point to support this idea. While many of my fellow Minnesotans were very critical of Brian Costin’s work, and it does have some faults, he’s not wrong in one of his initial assumptions: it’s too hot in the summer to play soccer down south, and winter, the best time to play soccer in the region, is not utilized at all by teams. Summer in the south is terrible.
Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC – FiftyFive.One
Seattle beat up on Minnesota at Century Link Stadium for its first win of the MLS season. Early goals from Gustav Svensson and Will Bruin set the tone for the Sounders. Minnesota was able to pull one back in the second half through Christian Ramirez’s first goal of the season. Minnesota’s comeback bid ended with a Jordy Delem goal in time added on.
News in Brief: All-Star Loons, MNUFC Acquire International Roster Spot, and More – FiftyFive.One
The 2018 MLS All-Star game took place Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Juventus forward Andrea Favilli scored in the 21st-minute to give the Italian giants the lead. Hometown-hero Josef Martinez equalized five minutes later. After a scoreless second half the match went straight to penalty kicks, in which Juventus prevailed 5-3. Defender Francisco Calvo started and played 32 minutes in Wednesday’s game. Darwin Quintero was among a rash of second half substitutes.
WCIS 159: Go On. Get Paid. – FiftyFive.One
All that glitters is, indeed, gold in this episode where we cover the lead up to the MLS All Star game, MNUFC’s shellacking at the hands of the Whitecaps and all the rest of the soccer news from the past week! You can subscribe to WCIS on the following platforms: Tags: MLS, NWSL, podcast, Two United Fans, USL, USWNT, We Call It Soccer
Making Meaning Out of a so-called "Meaningless" Friendly – FiftyFive.One
For Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan, it’s becoming more and more important to keep up with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern München. Club soccer has become an international business, and the ICC is one way clubs that are starting to get left behind can catch up to the big spenders and big names. It can make the average soccer fan in the Twin Cities a little cynical.
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