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Articles by Kaleb Olson
New to BiggerPockets
Grimes, IA · Member since 2026 · 1 post · 1 vote Hey, just introducing myself (to get the profile points ;) ). Been listening to BiggerPockets podcast for around a year now after a recommendation from a customer at my full-time job. I've learned a lot so far and can't wait to learn more from all of your real life experiences. I'm located in the central Iowa area and hoping to invest here locally within the next 1-3 years. Can't wait to connect with some locals and continue learning!
Alternate Looniverse: A Football Manager Story
by Kaleb Olson Welcome back to an Alternate Looniverse, where I have taken over Minnesota United FC in Football Manager 19. To see the database that I’m using, along with the different league system I’m in please check out the introduction piece from last week.
Matchdays Thirty Three and Thirty Four: Loons Stagger Across Finish Line – FiftyFive.One
I’ve been dreading writing this final Matchday column, not just because of the ennui of the approaching offseason, but because I feel as though I have said all I have to say about this version of the Loons. There are only so many times you can question your club’s total ambivalence about developing young players, even when there is literally nothing left to lose.
Matchday Thirty One: Away From Home, Loons Embarrass Themselves On The Field, And The Touchline – FiftyFive.One
Minnesota have played significant minutes this season in a 4-2-3-1, a 3-5-2, and a 4-4-2. They’ve played with a partnership of Ibson and Rasmus Schüller in midfield, a troika of Ibson, Schüller, and Collen Warner, and most recently a pairing of Maximiano and Fernando Bob.
#MINvPOR Open Game Thread – FiftyFive.One
When? – 7:00 p.m. CDT, Saturday, September 22 Where? – TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN How to Watch? Fox Sports North Plus How to Listen?
Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Portland Timbers FC – FiftyFive.One
The Loons will return to the relatively safe harbor of TCF Bank Stadium for the first time in seven weeks on Saturday, aiming to salvage a bit of pride and assess its options for 2018. The club will have most of its preferred options available and will be playing a tough Portland Timbers side. With that in mind, the lineup and tactics Adrian Heath chooses to field will be an intriguing look into his psyche as the club turns an eye toward Allianz Field and the future.
News in Brief: Midway Development, MNUFC Partners With New Ad Agency, Women's World Cup Improvements, and More – FiftyFive.One
With the Loons’ new home nearing completion, attention now turns to the related development of the surrounding Midway neighborhood, which will include residential, business, and other entertainment options. MNUFC owner Bill McGuire spoke recently about the current and lasting impact of Allianz Field and the related development.
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.
Matchdays Twenty-Five and-Twenty Six: Horrible Road Trip Continues, With Losses In Frisco And Kansas City – FiftyFive.One
First off, an apology to readers of these articles. Last week’s loss to FC Dallas, after a rain delay that lasted over two hours, was so dreary, I couldn’t bring myself to write about it last week. If I hadn’t felt an obligation to cover the match on Twitter for @FiftyFiveOne, I would’ve just gone to sleep and missed the game entirely. With a starting XI so plainly ineffective, the result was obvious from the start.
#DALvMIN Open Game Thread – FiftyFive.One
How to Watch? Fox Sports North Plus How to Listen? 1500 ESPN Official Hashtag: #DALvMIN Follow us at @FiveFiftyOne! Formation shift possible for Minnesota United’s match at FC Dallas (Star Tribune) Minnesota United winger Romario Ibarra looks ready to make first start (Pioneer Press) How the change in formation has begun to fortify Minnesota United’s defense (The Athletic) Exclusive: Miguel Ibarra on his career, Christian Ramirez and Darwin’s impact (The Athletic)
WCIS 161 - Kaleb Doesn't Think That's a Card - FiftyFive.One
Was that a red? Probably not, because the knife missed its target and the player could keep going. Or at least that’s what Kaleb would have you believe. He’s really hesitant to call for cards and that is a totally unbiased view; not at all influenced by a single conversation Nach had with him earlier. Catch up with that and all the week’s soccer news on this week’s We Call It Soccer! Note: Initially, last week’s episode had been re-uploaded by mistake.
Matchday Twenty Four: Minnesota Battles To Ugly Point On The Road, With Big Elephant In The Stadium – FiftyFive.One
The Los Angeles Galaxy’s StubHub Center is just 10.34 miles to the south of Los Angeles FC’s home in Exposition Park. On Saturday night, the Loons played in the same time, in the same metro area, as Christian Ramirez, but in different games. The stage was set for a sharp contrast. But it didn’t materialize. Ramirez entered late in an already-losing effort by LA and made an instant impact, missing a diving header by inches and then being denied a goal by a spectacular Tim Melia save.
News in Brief: The First FA Match Official to Wear a Hijab, and More – FiftyFive.One
Christian Ramirez spoke about his new team and his excitement in suiting up for the Black and Gold. Ramirez was subbed on in the second half for his LAFC debut against Sporting Kansas City. Pascale Hughes of iNews tells the story of Jawahir Roble, the first FA match official to wear a hijab on the field. Roble is currently a referee in Denmark after getting her start in the lower leagues of England. FiftyFive.One is now on Patreon.
Match Preview: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Minnesota United FC – FiftyFive.One
There are lots of intriguing questions posed by Saturday’s key Western Conference showdown between the Loons and the Galaxy, but only one will be in the mind of fans. How will Minnesota move on from the man who scored more goals than any other and provided value off the ball even when he wasn’t scoring? The gut-wrenching loss to Seattle provided some tactical clues, if not any emotional ones. The clubs have an eventful MLS history, even if the results have been one-sided.
Possibilities: Going Pro From the NPSL North – FiftyFive.One
This is, in many ways, a golden age of soccer in the United States and it is not dissimilar to the dawning of the age of flight. It is a time when people are trying things, there is no accepted model, and independent opportunities exist. The truth, though, is that they are likely to get crushed under a corporate oligopoly enforced by a governing body that colludes with the oligopolists because that is what happens.
A Pro/Rel Proposal for the NPSL North Conference – FiftyFive.One
Though the topic of promotion/relegation is the third rail of soccer discourse, it is worth considering in the context of the success of the NPSL North Conference teams. That success, along with the resulting marketplace currents, including the aggressive expansion of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) and the belief, born from the success of the North Conference teams, that running a lower division club is an achievable goal for lots of people, makes the discussion worthwile.
News in Brief: MLS Prospects, Nashville Stadium, and More... – FiftyFive.One
While MLS has instituted well-defined “homegrown regions” for each MLS club, there are some areas where no team has rights. In these areas, MLS clubs recruit like colleges. This is how Jaylin Lindsey came to play for Sporting KC; he chose to join SKC’s academy as his best option. Nashville’s planning committee has recommended rezoning 10 acres for MLS’ new stadium. There are four total pieces of legislation affecting the future stadium, with a final vote possible on September 4.
Matchday Twenty Three: Late Gut Punch Dooms Loons, Raises Questions About Leadership – FiftyFive.One
The importance of this game, at home, against a possible playoff rival, was obvious to all. Yet the Loons came out flat, and never really found their edge all game. The team was bullied by Seattle’s incredible defensive midfielder Ozzie Alonso all match, and neither counterattacks nor slower-building attacks had much success breaking through. Just three or four times did Minnesota threaten, and such is the odd nature of soccer that all were excellent opportunities.
Creative Thinking: Expansion in the NPSL North – FiftyFive.One
Eli Hoff at E Pluribus Loonum asked a provocative question: is it time for the NPSL North Conference to expand? Expansion is the rage right now thanks primarily to the UPSL. However, expansion for its own sake will just dilute the talent, interest, and organization of the already variable standards within the league. I believe in open leagues.
#MINvSEA Open Game Thread – FiftyFive.One
When? – 7:00 p.m. CDT, Saturday, August 4 Where? – TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN How to Watch? Fox Sports North Plus How to Listen?
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.
Tottenham Hotspur Best AC Milan 1-0 in Preseason Action at US Bank Stadium – FiftyFive.One
Both teams featured younger squads, as a number of their players are still on break after playing in the Men’s World Cup earlier this summer. The ICC provides a great opportunity for these younger players to become comfortable playing for their senior sides. Leading the youth brigade for Tottenham Hotspur. was Oliver Skipp and Kyle Walker-Peters Coach Mauricio Pochettino was looking for something from both players as he gave them the opportunity to play all 90 minutes in Tottenham’s last US match.
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.
Matchday Twenty Two: Road Woes Continue For Loons In Deflating Loss To Vancouver – FiftyFive.One
Last week I wrote about the benefits of the formational switch to the 3-5-2 and the team’s shift towards a more counter-attacking focus. But the Loons’ new conversion faced a natural test from a Vancouver team that has a similar interest in counter-attacking and no real desire to possess and play with the ball. The 3-5-2 clogs the center of the field and concedes space in between the wingbacks, with the idea of winning the ball in center of the field and hitting quickly in transition.
#VANvMIN Open Game Thread – FiftyFive.One
When? – 9:00 p.m. CDT, Saturday, July 28 Where? – BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia How to Watch? Fox Sports North Plus How to Listen?
Match Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Minnesota United FC – FiftyFive.One
Despite a Mason Toye red card back in May, a 10-man Minnesota United FC side was able to squeak out a win against the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps FC. After Toye was sent off, Miguel Ibarra scored the lone goal of the game, with loanee Alexi Gomez providing the assist. Minnesota will be looking to mirror the result from May, although I am sure the Loons would prefer finishing the match with 11 men. Since the switch to the 3-5-2, Minnesota has become a counter-attacking team.
WCIS 158: Heel Turn – FiftyFive.One
Nach is ready to turn on everyone as We Call It Soccer returns this week with a lineup of the week’s news from MLS, NWSL and more. You can subscribe to WCIS on the following platforms: Tags: MLS, NWSL, podcast, Two United Fans, USL, USMNT, USWNT, We Call It Soccer, World Cup
News in Brief: Asylum of Loons in TOTW, Rumors on Ramirez, and More – FiftyFive.One
Seven goals in two games will certainly earn a team a lot of plaudits. MLS acknowledged the Loons’ performance this past week by placing an asylum of Loons and Adrian Heath on the Team of the Week. Brent Kallman and Miguel Ibarra made the bench. Bobby Shuttleworth, Christian Ramirez, and Darwin Quintero made the Starting XI. Quintero was also named MLS Player of the Week.
Match Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. FC Dallas – FiftyFive.One
Your best value for a Scotch whisky that is approachable and still refined might be The Glenlivet 18 Speyside scotch, which has sweeter tones of vanilla and honey to balance the wood and spice notes. If you need a more affordable entry-level scotch, you may want to bump down to the 12-year version of Glenfidditch’s comparable single-malt.
MN Migration: Nashville Bows Out of Open Cup – FiftyFive.One
A 2-1 loss to Louisville City ended Nashville SC’s run in the U.S. Open Cup. Ismalia Jome started on the left side of the midfield. The former Loon nearly set up an opening goal in the 55th minute. After taking the ball to the end line, Jome sent a ball to a teammate inside the six yard box, but the shot hit the post. Three minutes later his mark put Louisville up 2-0 after a short corner.
La Crosse Shocks The World: NPSL North Matchweek Eight Recap – FiftyFive.One
A midweek trip up to the Port City ended in another lopsided defeat for La Crosse Aris, although Duluth was kept off the scoresheet for a full half. Arad Lev Ari opened the scoring in the 48th minute, but the Bluegreens had to wait to another half an hour for the floodgates to open. Joe Watt doubled the lead in the 74th minute, with a Sora Wakabayashi strike coming six minutes later. Leonardo Almeida tacked on a fourth for good measure in the 90th minute as Duluth cruised.
Totally Informed FIFA World Cup Predictions – FiftyFive.One
Kaleb Olson: I think France will win this one, although it is a toss up with Germany. This French team is so deep and talented that I can’t even see Didier Deschamps messing this one up. Some may be backing off Les Blues after their lackluster draw against the USMNT, but I think they worked the kinks out and saw what they needed to work on. Ben MacKenzie: At the risk of sounding like every inexperienced noob in the world, I’ve got to go with Brazil.
#CINvMIN US Open Cup Game Thread – FiftyFive.One
When? – 6:30 p.m. CDT, Sunday, June 3 Where? – Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio How to Watch? ONLINE STREAM How to Listen? 1500 ESPN Social: Official Hashtag: #CINvMIN Follow us at @FiveFiftyOne! Team Accounts Minnesota United FC – @mnufc FC Cincinnati – @FCCincinnati Live Updates MNUFC Gameday – @mnunitedgameday Pre-Match Reading: Glory, Defeat, and Pepper Spray, Minnesota in the US Open Cup (FiftyFive.One) Tags: #CINvMIN, FC Cincinnati, Minnesota United FC, Open Game Thread
Crows Make a Statement: NPSL North Matchweek Five Recap – FiftyFive.One
Dakota Fusion’s rough start is becoming a rough season. The hosts watched a two-goal lead slip away and turn into a draw against the same team that knocked them out of the U.S. Open Cup a few weeks ago. The Fusion got going quickly as Massimo Baron found the back of the net in the 3rd minute of play. The lead was doubled just before halftime by Benjamin Eastwell.
Sporks Skewer Sloppy Loons – FiftyFive.One
Minnesota made one change to the starting XI that won at home against Montreal. Brent Kallman made his second start of the season, replacing the World Cup-bound Francisco Calvo. Joining Kallman on the backline were Eric Miller, Tyrone Mears, and newly minted captain Michael Boxall. Rasmus Schüller and Ibson continued their tenure in the midfield behind Darwin Quintero, Alexi Gomez, and Miguel Ibarra. Chrisitan Ramirez and Bobby Shuttleworth took their usual places at each end of the pitch.
Defensive Miscues Down Minnesota – FiftyFive.One
Adrian Heath chose to send out a lineup with important changes from the win on Saturday. Changing formation to a 4-3-3, the middle of the field saw the bulk of the moves. Harrison Heath and Maximiano made their Minnesota debuts alongside Collin Martin, who made his second appearance this year, after making his first on Saturday. The defense saw one change, as Carter Manley started in place of Eric Miller. Manley lined up opposite Jerome Thiesson with Michael Boxall and Francisco Calvo in the middle.
Matchday Ten: Minnesota's Defensive Errors Continue In Loss To Los Angeles – FiftyFive.One
In the lead-up to Wednesday night’s match against league newcomers Los Angeles FC, I asked the following question for the FiftyFive.One Podcast: I can hardly complain when the coach seems to have been thinking along the same lines. Adrian Heath put out the 4-3-3 that I and many others were expecting, with Darwin Quintero operating as a false #9. He did not gamble Christian Ramirez’ health by inserting him to fill the hole at striker.
Meet the Crows: Six Things to Know About Minneapolis City – FiftyFive.One
The Crows have had to leave cozy and atmospheric Edor Nelson Field because of construction at the adjacent Augsburg University Ice Arena (NPSL standards for amenities like locker rooms would not have been met during the construction). They will be at Osseo Senior High School’s stadium this season and, though the location is hardly as central as Augsburg, it could have some advantages.
MN Migration: Slump Leads to More Minutes for Yueill – FiftyFive.One
The San Jose Earthquakes have not won in seven games. The team’s only victory this season came opening day against Minnesota United FC. The upside to this run of bad form is the eventual tinkering with line ups. Jackson Yueill has benefited from these changes. The midfielder made his second straight start in a 1-0 loss to the Portland Timbers. While he saw a lot of the ball, he could not help spark his side’s attack.
#LAvMIN Open Game Thread – FiftyFive.One
When? – 9:00 p.m. CDT, Wednesday, May 9 Where? – Bank of California Stadium, Los Angeles, CA How to Watch? Fox Sports North How to Listen? 1500 ESPN Official Hashtag: #LAFCvMIN Follow us at @FiveFiftyOne! Shorthanded Loons are one game into busy three-game stretch (Star Tribune) Minnesota United forward Christian Ramirez ‘pretty happy’ about hamstring progress (Pioneer Press) The Morning Loon: Eric Miller’s debut marks a change in style for MNUFC (The Athletic)
NPSL North: Duluth FC Season Preview – FiftyFive.One
When one thinks of sports in Duluth, soccer isn’t typically the first one that comes to mind. The University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs claimed the NCAA Division 1 men’s hockey national championship for the second time in program history last month. The UMD women have won five hockey titles, and sent goaltender Maddie Rooney to the Olympics in February with Team USA to bring home the gold medal. Another squad from the area, Team Shuster, also won gold in men’s curling this year.
Match Preview: Los Angeles FC vs. Minnesota United FC – FiftyFive.One
I said last week that a bit of luck and a bit of skill was all it took to change the narrative in a league as wacky as MLS. Against Vancouver, that definitely proved true. But the recipe for victory for the Whitecaps could not possibly be something one would want to replicate against Los Angeles. Or is it?
News in Brief: Shuttleworth and Calvo Earn Spots in TOTW, and More – FiftyFive.One
For the second week in a row Bobby Shuttleworth is the man between the posts in the MLS TOTW. The New York native made seven saves during the match, including an acrobatic punch on a Brek Shea curler. Francisco Calvo broke into the TOTW for the first time this season. The Costa Rican international had 12 defensive clearances and five defensive recoveries. Both players helped Minnesota achieve its first clean sheet of 2018. FiftyFive.One is now on Patreon.
WCIS 149: In Bobby We Trust – FiftyFive.One
We Call It Soccer! This week’s We Call It Soccer starts with Minnesota’s fortuitous win against Vancouver which came in no small part due to the heroics of Bobby Shuttleworth. We then move on to cover the week’s MLS and NWSL action before finishing on world soccer. You can subscribe to WCIS on the following platforms: iTunes Feed Google Play Podcasts Stitcher Radio Listen now: Tags: Bundesliga, champions league, EPL, MLS, MNUFC, NWSL, podcast, Two United Fans, USL, USMNT, We Call It Soccer
A Screwed-up Suspension, a PR Nightmare – FiftyFive.One
Quietly, outside of the excitement of Zlatan and the Loons’ double-barreled South American raid, a less noticeable story took place in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) this past week. Back on opening weekend, North Carolina goalkeeper Sabrina d’Angelo came out and made this game-critical stop on Portland’s Midge Purce (2:45): The referee in the match, Ramy Touchan, correctly calls no foul here, d’Angelo gets the ball first, then Purce trips over the leg that takes the ball.
Too Good to Be True: FC Minneapolis and the Dream Friendly That Never Was – FiftyFive.One
On February 20, the Minnesota-based soccer blog E Pluribus Loonum published an incredible story: a local team, FC Minneapolis, was postponing their planned friendly with the Uganda Men’s National Team in Kampala because of “changes to immigration law”. Then, on March 19, WCCO’s David McCoy picked up the story and put it on television, giving the story a level of institutional credibility.
Supporter's Group Roll Call: Red Loons – FiftyFive.One
Wes Burdine: Red Loons started as something of a lark. In 2012 or so, I was inspired by supporters of teams like FC St Pauli and Beşiktaş. I was also coming off of being really involved with trying to lobby politicians and community members to care about the potential demise of professional soccer in Minnesota. In those days there was the Dark Clouds and that’s it. I imagined the Red Loons as a sort of Marxist faction that could marshal all that energy for creating political good in the community.
Supporter's Group Roll Call: Mill City Ultras – FiftyFive.One
Rob:Â Mill City Ultras was formed at the beginning of the debut MLS season in 2017 by a group of seven of us. We wanted to fill what we saw as a void in the stands, representation of issues that affect our community and represent them overtly. Rob:Â We wanted an Ultras style group, but something that spoke of the history of our home. Mills and those who work them built the Twin Cities. It is an homage to the cities’ working-class roots as well as identifiably Minneapolitan.
Supporter's Group Roll Call: Midway Wanderers – FiftyFive.One
Nachiket Karnik: I was having an informal conversation at the Nomad with Jake Rueter about how the Midway was going to become the focus of the MNUFC fan base starting in 2019. We thought it would be fun if those of us who lived in the Midway organized a wandering tailgate where each gameday a different household would host and MNUFC fans could come hang out. Obviously, a group activity needs a group and we were born.
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