Soccer

Complete coverage of Minnesota United, Minnesota Aurora, the MLS and World Cup soccer. Latest scores, player stats, schedule, standings, game highlights and sports commentary from the Star Tribune.

Loons
November 5, 2019
Minnesota United's Osvaldo Alonso (left) celebrates with teammate Chase Gasper (right) after Alonso scored a goal against Sporting Kansas City during

Loon by Loon: A look ahead to Minnesota United's 2020 roster

Minnesota United beat writer Jerry Zgoda looks back at 2019 season and ahead to 2020, Loon by Loon.
Loons
November 1, 2019
Kate Markgraf, general manager of the U.S. women's national soccer team, listens as newly hired head coach Vlatko Andonovski speaks at a news conferen

New U.S. women's soccer coach faces difficult cultural dance

Vlatko Andonovski, hired from the NWSL's successful Reign FC franchise, inherits the challenge of leading a decorated team showing its age and also challenging U.S. Soccer for better pay.
Loons
November 1, 2019
Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath will remain coach, but will have more input in personnel decisions concerning United's "first team," the 20 or so

Minnesota United adjusts front office roles for Heath, Lagos

Coach Adrian Heath will have more input in personnel decisions concerning top players while sporting director Manny Lagos will get a new title focused on the team's future.
Loons
October 31, 2019

Loons defender Chase Gasper called up by U.S. national team

Loons
October 29, 2019
Loons player Ike Opara(3) helps out goalie Vito Mannone(1) on a goal attempt .] The Loons take on D.C. United at Allianz Field in St. Paul, MN. RICHAR

United's Vito Mannone, Ike Opara named to MLS Best XI

The Loons' defensive stalwarts join some of the league's biggest stars in being recognized as its best 11 players in 2019.
Loons
October 25, 2019
Minnesota United's Osvaldo Alonso covers his head with his jersey after the LA Galaxy scored a goal in the second half of an MLS first-round playoff s

Brilliant season or disappointment? Either way, Loons aim to improve

The Loons' turnaround after two losing seasons was ''massive,'' defender Michael Boxall said. But the new playoff format was "harsh,'' according to Vito Mannone, who played his first season of MLS.
Loons
October 25, 2019
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Joe Corona, left, and Minnesota United midfielder Rasmus Schuller battled for the ball in April.

Loons decline option on five players, already reshaping next season's roster

Rasmus Schuller, A Finnish national-team member, was among the players let go.
Loons
October 25, 2019
Chicago Red Stars forward Sam Kerr looks to score against the Portland Thorns during the first half of an NWSL playoff semifinal Oct. 20 in Bridgeview

Trophy-less Chicago has more to gain in women's soccer title game

North Carolina is the unquestioned favorite and, with three consecutive NWSL Shield (regular-season title) victories, is firmly in "dynasty" mode.
Loons
October 24, 2019
Minnesota United goalkeeper Vito Mannone (1) blocked a shot in the first half against Orlando City. ] Aaron Lavinsky • aaron.lavinsky@startribu

Loons' Vito Mannone named MLS top goalkeeper

The Premier League veteran becomes the second Minnesota United player to receive a top defensive award, reflecting the team's dramatic improvement giving up fewer goals.
Loons
October 22, 2019
Minnesota United designated player Darwin Quintero came on as a second-half substitution in the team's first MLS playoff game Sunday against L.A. Gala

'Big decisions' ahead for Loons: Seven questions facing the team

Proud but disappointed after his team's first-round playoff loss, Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath promised there will be changes for the 2020 season.
Loons
October 21, 2019
Loons defender Ike Opara, who was a key acquisition by Minnesota United this season, shook hands with L.A. Galaxy pkayers after Sunday's playoff loss.

Scoggins: Loons made commitment to improve, and it has to continue

Minnesota United's debut appearance in the Major League Soccer playoffs should be viewed as an opportunity lost. A new standard now guides every decision.
Loons
October 21, 2019
Michael Boxall (15) of Minnesota United FC reacted after a missed scoring opportunity in the first half.

Two Galaxy goals in four minutes knock out Loons from playoffs

Minnesota United controlled the action for Sunday's first 71 minutes, but failed to convert on several prime scoring chances before its opponents took command.
Loons
October 21, 2019
Minnesota United FC fans at the start of the game.

Loons just the latest Minnesota team to have hopes dashed, flaws exposed in playoffs

When a team is good enough to make the playoffs despite its flaws, talking yourself into the idea of a possible championship requires equal parts hope and amnesia.
St. Paul
October 21, 2019
A St. Paul Police officer photographed a handgun on the sidewalk on Pascal St. as they investigated the scene of a double shooting in St. Paul Sunday

Two shot near Loons playoff game; Carter says 'This has to stop right now'

"This has to stop right now," mayor says of the rash of gun violence.
Loons
October 21, 2019
Giancarlo Gonzalez of the LA Galaxy grabbed Chase Gasper of Minnesota United in the first half.

Allianz Field survives rapid transition from football to futbol

Allianz Field's grounds crew worked overnight Saturday manicuring grass that had been laid only three weeks ago into game condition after St. John's and St. Thomas played a college football game.
Loons
October 20, 2019
No place like home for MLS playoff teams; will Loons follow trend?

No place like home for MLS playoff teams; will Loons follow trend?

All four home teams won on Saturday's opening day of the 2019 MLS playoffs and Philadelphia follow with a dramatic comeback Sunday afternoon. Minnesota United plays host to LA Galaxy on Sunday night.
Loons
October 20, 2019
Loons fans wave their scarves at Allianz Field

History-making MLS playoff game comes to Allianz Field

The stage is set for the first MLS playoff game in Minnesota United history. "Every moment matters, right?" said United veteran midfielder Ethan Finlay, who played seven playoff games with Columbus in 2014 and 2015.
Loons
October 20, 2019
Officials attempted to repair damaged turf after a rough play in the fourth quarter.

'We kind of tore it up': Allianz Field turf takes a beating after St. John's-St. Thomas game

Concern over the turf existed even before the St. John's-St. Thomas game.
Loons
October 19, 2019

Gameday preview: Minnesota United vs. LA Galaxy in MLS playoffs

Two weeks after it ended its regular season with a 1-1 draw at Seattle, Minnesota United makes its MLS playoff debut as the home team in a No. 4/No. 5 seed matchup.
Loons
October 18, 2019
If at first you don't concede: Loons' stingy defensive spine is playoff key

If at first you don't concede: Loons' stingy defensive spine is playoff key

The Loons' playoff success, starting against L.A. Galaxy's star-studded scoring power, hinges on its meticulously acquired and highly successful trio of defensive stalwarts.