FM19 - Glory, Glory, Minnesota: A Minnesota United (MLS) Dynasty

[weloveunitedwedo]

GLORY, GLORY, MINNESOTA!
A FM19 MINNESOTA UNITED FC DYNASTY

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Meet the Manager

Brian Torrance is a retired American soccer player and alumni of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During his playing career, he won 3 back-to-back NCAA College Cups with the UNC Tar Heels, and was a one-time season Top 11 during his single season playing for the Charlotte Independence.

He was named the new manager of Minnesota United, replacing Adrian Heath who accepted a manager post at his long time on-field home, Everton. Torrance was shortly thereafter named the new manager of the USA U-19s squad anchored by Trey Muse, Mark McKenzie, Tyler Adams, and Josh Sergeant.

Meet the Starting 11

Under Torrance, Minnesota United uses a wider, 4-1-4-1 variation of the classic 4-3-3. With the 4-1-4-1, United try to keep control of the ball for 90 minutes as best as they can and grind out goals on the other side's third.

Goalkeeper(Goalkeeper, Defend): Vito Manone
Right Defender (Full-Back, Support): Romain Métanire
Central Right Defender (Central Defender, Defend): Ike Opara
Central Left Defender (Central Defender, Defend): Brent Kallman
Left Defender (Full-Back, Support): Chase Gasper
Midfield Defender (Deep-Lying Playmaker, Defend): Osvaldo Alonso
Right Central Midfielder (Deep-Lying Playmaker, Support): Ján Gregus
Left Central Midfielder (Box To Box Midfielder, Support): Rasmus Schüller
Right Attacking Mid (Inside Forward, Support): Darwin Quintero
Left Attacking Mid (Inside Forward, Support): Kevin Molino
Striker (Complete Forward, Attack): Ángelo Rodríguez

Frequent subs-on and rotations-in include keeper Bobby Shuttleworth, defender Michael Boxall, midfielder Ethan Finlay, and striker Abu Danladi.

FAQ

Why is Minnesota United's mascot the loon?

It's not entirely clear. Maybe Scotland had a copyright on Nessie or chanting "Come on you Loons" is just less embarrassing than singing "We believe in a Scottish lake monster?"

Isn't MLS the lowest level of football in the world?

'Sup for debate, I suppose. What I will argue, however, is that MLS is by no means still the place where extraordinary Premiere League careers go to die.

So why Minnesota and not (Portland/Seattle/LAFC/Atlanta United/insert OP team of the year by the time you read this)?

Minnesota United appeals to me, because more than any other club in MLS, the club reflects the character and history of the city it's in. The Loons are scrappy, they're do-or-die, and they have a working class ethic of building their success from the ground up. I've been following this club since their Cinderella story 2011 championship run in the NASL as the NSC Minnesota Stars, and I hope you'll follow along for all the Cinderella stories to follow.

 

[weloveunitedwedo]

The Target Minnesota United Hall of Fame

Minnesota United FC
Allianz Field, Minneapolis, MN (Built 2019, seats 19,400)


Championship History
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Tournaments won:
Leagues won:
Cups won: NASL Championship, 2011 (1) The Surly Twin Cities Cup, 2019 (1) IMG Suncoast Pro Classic, 2019 (1)

Club Facilities

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Pitch: Natural grass, 115yds long, 74yds wide

Hall of Fame

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All-Time Top 11:

Hall of Fame Classes:

Class of 2019:
Christian Ramirez (2017-2018)
​Adrian Heath (2017-2019)​

 

[weloveunitedwedo]

Stories going into the pre-season

​Pre-Season 2019 News
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We're taking over in the 2019 MLS pre-season, specifically on 7 Jan 2019. Here's a quick rundown of the storylines you can expect to hear the twitter soccer pundits talking about throughout the year.

Defying Expectations

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Starting the season in 6th place, Minnesota United are by no means expected to set the league on fire. With that being said, they have a talented roster of players along with genuine future-household-name superstars in Mason Toye, Darwin Qunitero, and Ethan Finlay, not to mention brick wall Vito Manone starting in net. Expect Minensota United to scrap and claw for every bit of daylight they can and try to squeak into the playoffs.

Gaming the System

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While not the richest club in MLS, Minnesota United is certainly not strapped for cash either. Look for the Loons to use their 11M payroll and 750k transfer budget, as well as the free transfers that occasionally offer themselves in MLS, to try to shore up their glaring defensive problems and add some midfield depth. Furthermore, look for Minnesota United owner Bill McGuire to make significant investments in Minnesota United's youth programs under the guidance of manager Brian Torrance and Head of Youth Development Tim Carter.

The Surly Twin Cities Cup

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In one of the more exciting friendly fixtures of the MLS pre-season, Minnesota United will take on the Minnesota Twin Stars, DC United, and Lansing Ignite in the first annual Twin Cities Cup, sponsored by local microbrewry Surly. The matches will take place on the 25th and 26th of January, with the first of the two legs being Minnesota's either second-last or third-last friendly of the pre-season, depending on the result.

 

[weloveunitedwedo]

8 Jan 2019 - Friendly vs Atlético Estado de México and Rasmus Schüller injury

Injury News

Midfielder Rasmus Schüller is down for 4-5 weeks with a torn groin. Schüller will likely be out for the entirety of the Twin Cities Cup and Suncoast Classic, but is expected to return in time for the MLS season opener.

8 Jan 2019 - Friendly vs Atlético Estado de México

0' - Goal: Ike Opara (Minnesota United FC)
36' - PK, Misses high and right: Darwin Quintero (Minnesota United)
39' - Yellow Card: Sergio Duarte (AEM)
46' - On: Abu Danladi Off: Darwin Qunitero (Minnesota United)
48' - Yellow Card: Ángelo Rodríguez (Minnesota United)
49' - On: Michael Boxall Off:Brent Kallman (Minnesota United)
55' - On: Abraham Garza Off: Luis Perales (AEM)
60' - On: Miguel Ibarra, Lawerence Olum Off: Hasani Dotson, Kevin Molino (Minnesota United)
68' On: Kevin Rodriguez Off: Osvaldo Alonso (Minnesota United)
70' - Yellow Card: Noé Núñez (AEM)
79' - Yellow Card: Ike Opara (Minnesota United)

FT: AEM 0 - 1 Minnesota United FC

 

[weloveunitedwedo]

16 and 19 Jan 2019 - Friendly vs Charleston Battery and friendly vs Chicago Fire

16 Jan 17 - Friendly vs Charleston Battery


13' - On: Zeiko Lewis Off: Kotaro Higashi (Charleston Battery)
14' - On: Michael Boxall Off: Romain Métanire (Minneosta United)
37' - Goal: Lawerence Olum (Minnesota Unted)
58' - On: Lawerence Olum Off: Ike Opara (Minnesota United)
69' - Goal: Brent Kallman (Minnesota United)
76' - Yellow Card: Jay Bolt (Charleston Battery)
89' - Yellow Card: Brent Kallman (Minnesota United)

FT: Charleston Battery 0 - Minnesota United FC 2

17 Jan 2019 - Torrance Announces USA U19s Captain and Vice Captain

Brian Torrance has named midfielder Zyen Jones as captain of the USA Under 19s side and midfielder Chris Durkin as the vice captain. The U20s side is ranked 23rd in the world and Torrance will hope to help continue to build one of the best youth football systems in the world.

19 Jan 2019 - Friendly vs Chicago Fire


7' - Goal: Kevin Molino (Minnesota United FC)
34' - Yellow Card: Jorge Luís Corrales (Chicago Fire)
45' - On: Przemyslaw Frankowski, C.J Sapong Off: Aleksander Katai, Nemanja Nikolić (Chicago Fire)
53' - On: Michael Boxall Off: Chase Gasper (Minnesota United)
66' - Goal: Ángelo Rodríguez (Minnesota United)
82 - Disallowed Goal (Called offside by assistant ref): Raheem Edwards (Chicago Fire)

FT: Minnesota United FC 2 - Chicago Fire 0

Kevin Molino Injury

In the friendly against Chicago Fire, Kevin Molino suffered a bruised ankle. It's only expected to keep him out for a few days, and he should be back in time for the Twin Cities Cup.
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[weloveunitedwedo]

24 and 25 Jan 2019 Surly Twin Cities Cup and Schüller Trade

24 Jan 2019 - Schüller Trade
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Minnesota United have agreed with D.C. United on terms for a trade for Rasmus Schüller. D.C. United will receive Schüller and Minnesota United will receive D.C. United's 7th overall pick in the 2019 MLS Superdraft.

25 Jan 2019 - The Surly Twin Cities Cup, Semifinals vs Minnesota Twin Stars

41' - On: Greg Dolan Off: Jorge McCarthy (Minnesota Twin Stars)
42' - Goal: Kevin Molino (Minnesota United FC)
45+3' - On: Abu Danladi Off: Ángelo Rodríguez (Minnesota United)
45 - On: 5 players Off: 5 players (Minnesota Twin Stars)
45' - On: Miguel Ibarra Off: Kevin Molino (Minnesota United)
47' - Goal: Abu Danladi (Minnesota United)
68' - On: Steve Thorpe Off: Kevin Castro (Minnesota Twin Stars)
78' - Goal: Abu Danladi (Minnesota United)

FT: Minnesota United 3 - 0 Minnesota Twin Stars

Minnesota United advance to take on the winner of DC United - Lansing Ignite while Twin Stars will play for third place.

Rodríguez Injury

Ángelo Rodríguez suffered a tight thigh during the match against Minnesota Twin Stars. He isn't expected to miss any serious amount of time, but will likely be out for the Twin Cities Cup final.

26 Jan 2019 - The Surly Twin Cities, Final vs D.C. United


5' - Goal: Abu Danladi (Minnesota United FC)
16' - Goal: Osvaldo Alonso (Minnesota United)
25' - Disallowed Goal (Called offside by assitant ref): Osvaldo Alonso (Minnesota United)
36' - On: 6 players Off: 6 players (Minnesota United)
45' - On: 5 players Off: 5 players (D.C. United)
65' - Goal: Steven Birnbaum (D.C. United)
81' - Goal: Paul Arriola (D.C. United)
End of Regulation: Minnesota United 2 - 2 D.C. United

95' - On: Chris Durkin Off: Leonardo Jara (D.C. United)

End of Extra Time: Minnesota United 2 - 2 D.C. United​

D.C. United PK: Bottom-left corner shot saved by Bobby Shuttleworth.
D.C. United: X
Minnesota United PK: Jan Gregus fakes left and scores it right down the middle.
D.C. United: X
Minnesota United: O
D.C. United PK: Shuttleworth guesses wrong and Arriola buries it in the left side of the net.
D.C. United: X O
Minnesota United: O
Minnesota United PK: Miguel Ibarra puts it just past the keeper's outstretched hands.
D.C. United: X O
Minnesota United: O O
D.C. United PK: Not a must-make, but D.C. are running out of options. Stieber beats Shuttleworth's lunge to keep his team's hopes alive.
D.C. United: X O O
Minnesota United: O O
Minnesota United PK: Danladi hits Hamid's chest and the shootout is all level.
D.C. United: X O O
Minnesota United: O O X
D.C. United PK: With a chance to take the shootout lead, Canouse tries too hard and only finds Shuttleworth's torso.
D.C. United: X O O X
Minnesota United: O O X
Minnesota United PK: With a chance to put D.C. in a must-score situation, Finlay's shot is snatched out of the air by Hamid.
D.C. United: X O O X
Minnesota United: O O X X
D.C. United PK: Durkin scores and puts Minnesota United in a must-score situation.
D.C. United: X O O X O
Minnesota United: O O X X
Minnesota United PK: Olum fakes right and goes left, and just like that, we're going to sudden death!
D.C. United: X O O X O
Minnesota United: O O X X O
D.C. United PK: In an outstanding play, Bobby Shuttleworth tracks down the shot and swats it down to the turf like a basketball player.
D.C. United: X O O X O X
Minnesota United: O O X X O
Minnesota United PK: With the match and the cup on the line, Rodriguez steps up big time as he buries it in the far right corner. The Loons win the match and raise the first annual Twin Cities Cup!


Penalties: Minnesota United 4 - D.C. United 3

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In a friendly cup that under-promised and over-delivered, the host team Minnesota United have raised the first ever championship with new manager Brian Torrance, in what they certainly hope will be the first of many new pieces of hardware under his guidance.

 

[weloveunitedwedo]

2-9 Feb, 2019 - The 2019 IMG Suncoast Pro Classic Group A Recap

2 Feb, 2019 - IMG Suncoast Pro Classic Group A Match 1 vs Vasco De Gama

FT: Vasco De Gama 2 - 3 Minnesota United


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(Quick note, I'm trying a new format with this post. If you prefer it to the other format I've been using in this thread, drop a like on this post.)

Our first official competition match of the year, and I'm proud of how the team's form is shaping up already. I felt guilty that we might have won on an OG, but then we gave up a really bad OG of our own in stoppage time, and then I felt more panicked than we might lose on an OG. Either way, happy to get the 3 points, and make our path to winning our second cup of the pre-season that much clearer.

6 Feb, 2019 - IMG Suncoast Pro Classic Group A Match 2 vs Philadelphia Union

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Thankfully we already have 3 points in this cup, because this was a much sloppier affair than the previous match. Between the downpour and every good run at net amounting to a shot that's wide of the post, and the 13-0 finish in another fixture setting a nearly unreachable goal diff, things really didn't go our way in this one. We're gonna need to get our 3 points back to qualify for the championship playoff, and hopefully we can get them in our other MLS side opponent in FC Dallas next.

FT: Minnesota United 0 - 1 Philidelphia Union


9 Feb, 2019 - IMG Suncoast Pro Classic Group A Match 3 vs FC Dallas

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Whether because of less stiff competition or because of more favorable conditions, we've managed to qualify for the championship round against Randers FC of the Superliga Prelim. It'll certainly be an uphill fight, but we've proven we're already in regular season form and willing to put in the work on the training grounds. Even if we don't win, there's lots of positives to take away from this cup, especially when it comes to how well we'll fare in MLS this year.

FT: FC Dallas 1 - 2 Minnesota United

9 Feb, 2019 - Kevin Rodriguez placed on Injured DL

In the midst of qualifying for the Suncoast Pro Classic Playoff, Kevin Rodriguez suffered a torn calf and is expected to be out for 3-5 months. Minnesota United have placed Rodriguez on the DL list while he heals.

 

[weloveunitedwedo]

13 Feb 2019 - IMG Suncoast Pro Classic Final vs Randers FC

13 Feb 2019 - IMG Suncoast Pro Classic Final vs Randers FC

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Sometimes you remember your second place finishes more than the times you win it all, for both better and for worse, but Minnesota United hope to prove up to snuff today. Winning a friendly cup would be a good start to any team's campaign, but for a team predicted to finish below 10th in their league, winning both a friendly cup and their first competitive cup as an MLS team would certainly be a feather in their cap. With that in mind, Minnesota take to the pitch in IMG Academy Park.

7' - Yellow Card: Yiber Ramadani (Randers FC)
48' - Goal: Darwin Qunitero Jr. (Minnesota United)
62' - On: Miguel Ibarra Off: Kevin Molino (Minnesota United)
66' - On: Marcus Mølvadgaard Off: Oliver Drost (Randers)
88' - Goal: André Rømer (Randers)
96' - Goal: Ángelo Rodríguez (Minnesota United)
118' - Yellow Card: Ike Opara (Minnesota United)

FT: Randers FC 1 - 2 Minnesota United

Minnesota United raise their second cup in as many months

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An absolutely historic moment for this club.To not only hoist the cup, but to do so against a heavily favored Superliga team is something these boys should be proud of long after the celebrations end. They put lots of miles on their legs and it wasn't without its sacrifices, but I certainly hope everyone in MLS is paying attention to this statement we've made to the league in this run.

 

[weloveunitedwedo]

2 March 2019 - MLS Starting 11 and MLS season opener

Ethan Finlay transfer rumor

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Vancouver Whitecaps have announced their interest in a deal for Ethan Finlay as well as a tentative deal worth as much as 3 million dollars. Manager Brian Torrance has said that a deal for Finlay is on the table, but only if Minnesota United gets the right offer to replace the talent they're losing in exchange.

First Starting 11 of 2019

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Most conspicuous in his absence is Kevin Rodriguez, and yet we've managed to pull together what I believe is one of the best sides in MLS. This lineup will likely change, especially once Kevin Rodriguez and Hasani Dotson return, but I'm very happy with what we have here so far.

2 March 2019 - MLS Kickoff vs New York Red Bulls


2' - Own Goal: Chase Gasper (New York Red Bulls 1 - 0 Minnesota United FC)
2' - Goal: Ángelo Rodríguez (2) (Minnesota United)
5' - Goal: Darwin Qunitero (2) (Minnesota United)
16' - Goal: Ángelo Rodríguez (3) (Minnesota Unted)
36' - Yellow card: Alex Muyl (Red Bulls)
45+0' - Yellow card: Lawrence Olum (Minnesota United)
50' - Goal: Alejandro Romero Gamarra (Red Bulls)
58' - Sent off: Alex Myuls (Second yellow) (Red Bulls)
60' - On: Miguel Ibarra Off: Kevin Molino (Minnesota United)
65' - On: Abu Danladi Off: Osvaldo Alonso (Minnesota United)
71' - On: Marc Rzatkowski Off: Dillon Powers (Red Bulls)
71' - On: Michael Boxall Off: Kevin Molino (Minnesota United)
82' - Yellow Card: Alejandro Romero Gamarra (Red Bulls)
85' - VAR review: Foul was outside the box, free kick awarded to Red Bulls (Minnesota United)

FT: New York Red Bulls 2 - Minnesota 3

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First match, first win. The ethos of Minnesota as a state has always been "underdog is a 4 letter word," but this side has proven that they're willing to put in the work on the training ground and on match day to claw their way up the table, whether it's against a bottom-of-the-table MLS side or an international league regular.

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[tbuc]

Love this. Can't wait to see what Mason Toye will do for you. He's looked great this season in real life.