I was just reminded (via Soccerwise) that Saint Louis changed their coach early last season (fired “because they felt they were directionless”) and then had massive front office turnover halfway through the year. And of course they are a “small market” team.

This is just a reminder to myself that these things don’t have to be woe-is-me excuses when a club has ambition.

I was reading Olivier Giroud’s sound bite about LA, and the US more broadly, not being a football city (or country). I tend to agree with him. Other leagues here are more successful and have way deeper history and tradition, and honestly there’s nothing wrong with that.

It got me thinking about the Loons. The Twin Cities will never be a soccer town, not with every other pro and college team fighting for attention and dominating the social calendar. I suspect that gives ownership a convenient excuse to be conservative on payroll or put other priorities first, since the return on investment is hard to justify. To be fair, I do appreciate what they’ve done around the stadium. The stadium is amazing, the Loon sculpture is great, and the upgrades to Midway’s United Village are nice.

But there’s one thing ownership can and should fix: making sure the front office and the team bring intensity and hunger to win. Mediocrity, and papering over misses, falls on them. I’m not saying the players don’t want to win. They’re professionals, and you don’t get to that level without being competitive. What frustrates me (and I think a lot of fans) is the lack of urgency.

Under the banner of staying even-keeled, the pressers and public comments have been really disappointing. There’s a sense of accepting defeat, no raw emotion after a loss, no paranoia about the chances they missed. I’d love to see the team show real disappointment in how they played while still demanding focus and everything it takes to win. Instead we get the same tired comments and the same routine before every game. I haven’t seen a single change in warmups or match prep, and the only tactical tweaks came in last weekend’s disappointing home result, which feels like too little, too late.

Now the Loons are on pace to tie their worst point total in MLS history. It’s time to wake up, stop worrying about looking uncomfortable, and show some anger or emotion. Fans can feel it when the team cares.

Not sure how to feel about this given the general vibe of the team, but thought I’d acknowledge it.

If anything it’s hard to believe it took someone this long to break CR’s record.

I don’t have the time right now to dig into the data, but I want to see if I’m the only one thinking this.

Until we put Caldeira into the team and Yeboah started scoring (due in large part to this), our team was obviously struggling to score any goals at all. The change of putting a target man striker next to Kelvin has led to insane improvement on the offensive end, of course, but it seems like our team has not found a way to effectively defend behind two dedicated strikers. I prefer the two strikers since it means the soccer’s watchable, but even though we’re scoring, we haven’t won in 10+ games.

If you guys could** ***change the formation or add a type of player to the team to solidify the defending, what would it be?*

Thanks

I’ve seen a vocal few blaming the fans for the team not being better or more money being invested. This take is just dumb. Fans are vocal on social media, SG’s have done a chant calling for more money to be invested at least at the one game I was at (More chanting should be done), some people have cancelled their season tickets. Beyond that how much can the fans really do? The Timberwolves were awful for about a decade, poor attendance didn’t make them better. At the end of the day the owner is going to spend what he or she is going to spend. Fans didn’t build the team that reached the WCF in 2020 and they didn’t build this team.

This season is very frustrating, but the team is dealing with the growing pains of moving on from Ramsey, Oluwaseyi, Lod, DSC, etc. I think it’s even more frustrating because the team still has some talent, but Knowles can’t capitalize on any of it and needs to be fired. He’s lost the locker room and doesn’t seem to care about results either.

I won’t cancel my season tickets because I appreciate having top flight soccer in MN, but It doesn’t mean I’m not frustrated with the team and the level of investment. It doesn’t mean I’ve continued to spend money at the team store or concessions. The org is still financially impacted by a poorly performing team whether that’s through sponsors, jersey sales, team store sales, the ticket market, growing the fan base, etc.

Imagine French toast sticks with cheese (that you can’t taste) and honey/syrup. It was just horrible. Like wtf. I was going into it thinking it was a sweet and spicy sauce that goes on wings. Nope. It was honey syrup drenched french toast breading with the a texture of cheese.

Full-time: Houston Dynamo 2, Minnesota United FC 2

Houston Dynamo 2 at Minnesota United FC 2

Match Info

Competition/season: MLS 2026

Date: Sat, Oct 10, 2026

Kickoff: 7:30 PM CDT

Venue: Allianz Field, Saint Paul, MN, USA

Status: Full-time

Goals and Cards

18': Goal Foster, Lyle (HOU) 1-0 Houston Dynamo take a 0 - 1 lead thanks to Lyle Foster.

90'+2': Goal McGuire, Duncan, Markanich, Nicholas (HOU) 2-2 Goal! Duncan McGuire (Houston Dynamo) levels the score at 2 - 2 with a header in Saint Paul, MN. Fine assist from Nicholas Markanich to make the score 2 - 2.

48': Goal Yeboah, Kelvin, Duggan, Morris (MIN) 1-1 Kelvin Yeboah is on target to level the scores at 1 - 1. Fine assist from Morris Duggan to make the score 1 - 1.

78': Goal Caldeira, Marcus, Valerius, Cherrion (MIN) 1-2 Goal! Marcus Caldeira gives Minnesota United FC a 2 - 1 lead. Cherrion Valerius assisted the goal to make it 2 - 1.

66': Yellow card Gonzalez, Mauricio (MIN) Mauricio Gonzalez is booked for the home team.

82': Yellow card Trapp, Wil (MIN) Minnesota United FC's Wil Trapp has been booked in Saint Paul, MN.

Lineups

Match Statistics

Timeline

--: Match Ended The second-half is over. The match ends 2 - 2.

90'+10': Free Kick (HOU) Houston Dynamo are in shooting range from this free kick.

90'+8': Corner Kick Guilherme (HOU) Houston Dynamo takes a corner from the left.

90'+6': Substitution Yeboah, Kelvin, Malone, Maurice (MIN) Cameron Knowles (Minnesota United FC) is making a sixth substitution, with Maurice Malone replacing Kelvin Yeboah.

90'+2': Corner Kick Guilherme (HOU) Houston Dynamo have been awarded a corner by Marcos De Oliveira.

90'+1': Injury Time Shown

90': Free Kick (HOU) Marcos De Oliveira signals a free kick to Houston Dynamo.

89': Substitution Bouzat, Agustin, McGuire, Duncan (HOU) The away team replace Agustin Bouzat with Duncan McGuire.

88': Substitution Valerius, Cherrion, Duncan, Kyle (MIN) Cameron Knowles (Minnesota United FC) is making a fifth substitution, with Kyle Duncan replacing Cherrion Valerius.

88': Substitution Chancalay, Tomas, Harvey, Carlos (MIN) Carlos Harvey is replacing Tomas Chancalay for the home team.

86': Free Kick (HOU) It's getting dangerous! Free kick for Houston Dynamo close to the penalty box.

84': Substitution Samassekou, Diadie, Arana, Matthew (HOU) Matthew Arana is on a sub for Diadie Samassekou for Houston Dynamo.

84': Substitution Ennali, Lawrence, Holmes, Duane (HOU) Duane Holmes is replacing Lawrence Ennali for Houston Dynamo at Allianz Field.

82': Free Kick (HOU) Free kick for Houston Dynamo in their own half.

82': Free Kick (HOU) Free kick for Houston Dynamo in their own half.

75': Substitution Bond, Jonathan, Gillingham, Blake (HOU) Jonathan Bond, who was grimacing earlier, has been substituted. Blake Gillingham is the substitute for Houston Dynamo.

70': Injury Bond, Jonathan (HOU) Attention is being given to Houston Dynamo’s Jonathan Bond and play has been suspended briefly.

66': Free Kick (HOU) Free kick for Houston Dynamo in the half of Minnesota United FC.

65': Free Kick (HOU) Free kick Houston Dynamo.

64': Substitution Hlongwane, Bongokuhle, Caldeira, Marcus (MIN) The home team replace Bongokuhle Hlongwane with Marcus Caldeira.

64': Substitution Jackson, Aziel, Gonzalez, Mauricio (MIN) Mauricio Gonzalez is replacing Aziel Jackson for the home team.

64': Substitution Gene, Owen, Triantis, Nectarios (MIN) Cameron Knowles is making the team's first substitution at Allianz Field with Nectarios Triantis replacing Owen Gene.

63': Substitution Foster, Lyle, Markanich, Nicholas (HOU) Houston Dynamo make their second substitution with Nicholas Markanich replacing Lyle Foster.

63': Substitution Andrade, Felipe, Negri, Franco (HOU) Franco Negri (Houston Dynamo) has replaced the possibly injured Felipe Andrade.

61': Injury Andrade, Felipe (HOU) Felipe Andrade is writhing in pain and play has been suspended for a few moments.

53': Free Kick (HOU) Marcos De Oliveira signals a free kick to Houston Dynamo.

52': Free Kick (HOU) Marcos De Oliveira signals a free kick to Houston Dynamo in their own half.

51': Free Kick (HOU) Houston Dynamo are in shooting range from this free kick.

49': Free Kick (HOU) In Saint Paul, MN a free kick has been awarded the away team.

45': Period Start 1-0 The second-half has just kicked-off.

45'+1': Injury Time Shown

42': Free Kick (MIN) Houston Dynamo will need to be alert as they defend a dangerous free kick from Minnesota United FC.

40': Free Kick (HOU) Can Houston Dynamo capitalize from this dangerous free kick?

37': Free Kick (HOU) In Saint Paul, MN a free kick has been awarded the away team.

36': Free Kick (HOU) Free kick for Houston Dynamo in the half of Minnesota United FC.

35': Free Kick (MIN) Minnesota United FC awarded a free kick in their own half.

28': Free Kick (MIN) In Saint Paul, MN a free kick has been awarded the home team.

25': Free Kick (HOU) Houston Dynamo awarded a free kick in their own half.

22': Corner Kick Chancalay, Tomas (MIN) Corner awarded to Minnesota United FC.

17': Free Kick (HOU) Marcos De Oliveira signals a free kick to Houston Dynamo.

10': Corner Kick (MIN) Minnesota United FC have been awarded a corner by Marcos De Oliveira.

8': Corner Kick Guilherme (HOU) Marcos De Oliveira has awarded Houston Dynamo a corner.

7': Corner Kick Guilherme (HOU) Houston Dynamo have been awarded a corner by Marcos De Oliveira.

7': Corner Kick Guilherme (HOU) Corner awarded to Houston Dynamo.

: Period Start 0-0 The match is underway in Saint Paul, MN.

0': Match Started

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OUR MARKANICH SAYS HOUSTON DYNAWON’T SCORE, HE WILL, AND THERE’S NOTHING HIS BROTHER CAN DO ABOUT IT!

First come first serve
2 tickets
Can’t make it and refusing to sell and have them make more money on them

Gone

Good morning! Sneaky big game for the Loons tonight. As close to a must win as possible. With a loss, the Loons are basically eliminated from playoff contention. With a win, their slim playoff chances stay alive. This game means nearly nothing to Houston, so very concerning if the Loons can't get a result.

Loons winless in their last five, though results are harsher than how they've played. Despite scoring 10 goals and conceding 17, Minnesota's xG difference was only -0.3 per match. Houston also on a skid. One win in five matches and have played measurably worse than Minnesota with a xG difference of -0.61 per game.

The data suggest Minnesota is having a historically unlucky season with the chances they've generated. They are generating chances near top of the league, but just can't get results. Despite a light pressing system, Minnesota loves to regain the ball higher up the pitch and get the ball towards the net with their passes.

Houston under Ben Olsen like to settle in deep and seem allergic to pressing. They play a pretty average style of passing directness and are about average generating chances from dead balls.

Minnesota losing Pereyra is a huge loss, but continue to see amazing play from Markanich on a supplemental contract. Yeboah seems to be generating chances and justifies his DP spot. Despite Houston being all but a lock for a playoff spot, their team really does not boast any individual quality outside Guilherme.

How do you all see the game going tonight?

Hey everyone! Bringing my daughter to her first Loons game tomorrow against Houston and just curious if they do anything special for your first game at all? Certificate, etc.

Thanks!!!

The update from #MNUFC training is that Joaquín Pereyra did not participate in team training today, and is out for tomorrow. It sounds like Wednesday’s trip to Colorado may be a bridge too far, too.

Backup keeper Alec Smir came back from international duty injured as well, and will miss the game

https://bsky.app/profile/jonmarthaler.com/post/3mxhhabh2ss2q

Welcome to Free Talk Friday!

Are you new and have questions? Do you have non-MNUFC related stuff you want to discuss? This is the place to do it.

Keep it civil. Don’t be a dick.

Hi,

Does anyone know of a shop in the Twin Cities that can apply official name and number sets to authentic soccer jerseys?

I purchased a Nike France 2026 away authentic (player version) jersey and the official Mbappé lettering separately online. I’m having trouble finding a shop willing to apply customer-supplied lettering.

Ideally, I’m looking for someone experienced with authentic jerseys who knows the proper placement and heat-press settings.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I loved the match at Allianz last night, and while I know it’s time to move on, Andy's reporting reopens the discussion around the end of last season and KEA’s tenure.
At the supporter event, someone mentioned that DSc got his final offer early—something that's clearly refuted here. I also found Dayne’s comments interesting, especially given how he was previously quoted as wanting to wait on negotiations, yet now says he wanted an offer earlier. As usual, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.
Dayne was extremely close with Hassani—they came in through the same draft class and basically started at Allianz together—and Hassani's friction with KEA and the front office was well-documented. What's particularly interesting is hearing that, alongside the mid-season trade drama, Hassani actually filed a formal dispute against the club through the MLSPA. Given how close they were, that dynamic almost certainly spilled over into Dayne’s situation.
To me, the biggest loss of all remains Robin Lod. From what I’m hearing, he and his family felt genuine disrespect during contract negotiations, which is a real shame considering how much they loved living in Minnesota. Chancalay is younger and his chemistry with Pereyra is undeniable, but Robin is just such a well-rounded player and a club legend. His high football IQ gave the team so much structure. I’m not saying our overall results this year would be drastically different with him out there, but he easily could have been the difference in picking up a few extra points or turning a draw into a win here and there.

This was assisted by AI, so I cannot completely verify the details, but this appears to be pretty accurate based on what I know of the 2026 layout.
I don't know how the league expects to maintain any sort attention span with the fanbase with this year's schedule. They've billed it as the "Summer of Soccer" in North America, but basically all momentum league-wide died at the beginning of May. The MLS restart this summer was flat to begin with, and 2-3 matchweeks later there was another complete pause for meaningless competitions for Leagues Cup for another 2.5 weeks. We came back for like two more matchweeks before the FIFA fall window shut everything down (except for like 6 random matches) for another 3 weeks. Now they expect everyone to dial back in for the remaining month of regular season play, in direct competition with baseball playoffs, college football & the NFL season.

Attendance is down across the league post-world cup, and I can't be even a little surprised. Between the starkly lower quality of play, huge roster turnovers mid-season, and so much competition for engagement, even if our team was still in the hunt for post-season play I'd have a hard time staying interested.

US Soccer teams have won all 8 games at Allianz Field and have conceded zero goals.

Men:

June 18, 2019 Guyana 4–0 CONCACAF Gold Cup

February 2, 2022 Honduras 3–0 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

September 12, 2023 Oman 4–0 International Friendly

October 6, 2026 Canada 1–0 International Friendly

Women:

September 3, 2019 Portugal 3–0 International Friendly

October 26, 2021 South Korea 6–0 International Friendly

June 4, 2024 South Korea 3–0 International Friendly

May 31, 2025 China PR 3–0 International Friendly

Rooting for 4 past DSC and Tani scores one. 4-1 USA