Recent content by Iceberg88

"That wasn't too bad of a first friendly," I said once everyone was crammed into the Al Lang stadium's visitor's manager closet. "I hope none of you are claustrophic. This office is tiny. Um, first things first. We need a left back." Murmurs of agreement from my coaches. "We need a partner for...

Monday, January 9, 2023 9am MNUFC training facilities at National Sports Center in Blaine, MN "Morning everyone," I said. "Welcome to the first day of the 2023 season. I'm Eric Sandberg. This is my Assistant Darren Wassall. That's Teddy Sheringham. You all know Stewart and Sean. Some other new...

Sadly, he's grayed out for that, too.

January 1, 2023 2:35pm Oakland, CA "Well, we're here," I said as I stopped the rental car. "Mmmm," my daughter said looking at her house. Technically, her Mom's house. My ex-wife's house. "It was really great to spend a few days with you," I said. "Daddy? Um ..." "Yes, Emily." "Why ... um...

I'm playing Minnesota United FC and I signed Hervin Ogenda. I didn't make him any promises as I never ever make players I sign any promises. I get an email in my Inbox that Will Trapp is unhappy that I dropped him as Captain. I go and look in Tactics/Captains and Trapp is grayed out. Ogenda...

"Hello." "Mister Sheringham?" "Yes." "Uh, hi. This is Eric Sandberg calling. I'm the new manager for Minnesota United in MLS. I was looking through the English FA database and came across your name." "Okay." "I noticed in your profile that you are interested in coming across the pond to...

Christmas Eve, 2022 8ish pm, undisclosed location in South Minneapolis “Alright, you’ve watched the vids of last season, right?” Dinner was over, dishes were done, and my brother and I eventually found ourselves staring into the fireplace like we do every year. “Yes, my dearest brother, I...

Friday, December 23, 2022 10am "Alright let's get started," Manny Lagos said. "Bill, you want to start it off?" "Yes, today is a great day for Minnesota soccer," Owner Bill McGuire said. "We have an early present for all you United fans. After seven years of great leadership from Adrian Heath...

"Hello, Sean here." "Hi Sean, this is Eric Sandberg calling." "Ahh, Eric. So ..." "Yeah ..." "Is this the pink slip call?" Sean McAuley was Adrian Heath's Assistant. "Not unless you want one. Would you consider staying on? We have a bunch of mutual acquaintances who speak highly of you...

"Morning to you, lad." "Good evening to you, Darren." Darren Wassall had been Assistant to Steve McLaren at Derby. I'd lived with him when I first arrived. We'd stayed close. "What's new?" "I'm going to be the next manager of Minnesota United." "In MLS? Well, congrats. That's great news...

Monday, December 19 10:22am Bethesda, MD USA My phone bleeped. Minnesota area code. Is this the call? "This is Eric." "Good morning, Eric. Its Manny." Holy s***. Oh. My. God. My palms instantly moistened. The coffee I'd just drank turned sour. I'm glad I'd only had a piece of toast for...

"I still can't f***ing believe it," my brother said, mouth full of his Banh Mi sandwich. We'd met at his favorite Vietnamese restaurant. "Oh, Ben," Mom said. "You and your swearing." "But seriously? Can you believe it?, Mom?" "I haven't gotten the job, yet," I said. "Bro, its just f***ing...

Friday, December 16, 2022 12:13pm Golden Valley, MN You know what word I hate? Moist. Its a horrible word. Yes, its descriptive and all that but I still hate it. I wiped my hands on my pants. Then the horrible thought occurred to me that I’d left sweat marks that would freeze. I looked down...