Recent content from Jerry Zgoda

St. Clair among five Loons players called to their national teams
Minnesota United defender Michael Boxall also has a chance to reach the World Cup with New Zealand.

Loons lose 2-1 to USL League One team Union Omaha in U.S. Open Cup
The Loons gave up a 1-0 lead to the lower-level opponent, and fell in the round of 16 of the U.S. Open Cup.

Gameday preview: Minnesota United vs. Union Omaha
The Loons will play without defender Brent Kallman, out because of a suspension, in Wednesday's round of 16 U.S. Open Cup game at Allianz Field.

Loons to field 'mixed bag' lineup in U.S. Open Cup game
A busy schedule, injuries and suspensions present issues for Minnesota in preparing to face USL squad Union Omaha on Wednesday at Allianz Field.

Loons defender DJ Taylor seizes opportunity to talk about mental health
Taylor earned Man of the Match honors Sunday and donated the accompanying $1,000 to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota.

Loons keep same starting 11 for first time this season
DJ Taylor started his second consecutive game and scored in the 55th minute.

Loons get back to winning ways with 2-1 victory at Dallas
Sunday's decision stopped a four-game winless streak for the Loons, who got goals from Robin Lod and DJ Taylor.

Loons' Lod says delaying mandatory military training 'wasn't the best decision'
Minnesota United attacker Robin Lod spent 10 winter weeks training in home country of Finland's forests.

Minnesota United at FC Dallas preview: Loons looking to break winless streak
While the Loons are winless in their last four, they haven't lost to FC Dallas in their last five consecutive matchups.

Loons score 'angry' draw with Galaxy on Lod's goal late in second half
Somebody told Adrian Heath that he seemed angry after Wednesday's comeback 1-1 draw. He was. But the coach's crankiness wasn't directed at his team's play.

Heath predicts new surface at Allianz Field will be big improvement
Work to reinforce the current grass with synthetic fibers has already begun on the field and is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

Little-played Hunou tops Loons salary list at $2.68 million
The Minnesota United forward, who is scoreless this season, makes more than twice as much as star midfielder Emanuel Reynoso.

Gameday preview: Loons face LA Galaxy, look to end losing streak
The Loons have lost three in a row for the first time since early in the 2021 season.

Loons to play Premier League's famed Everton at Allianz in July
Formed in 1878, Everton Football Club was has competed in England's top division for a record 118 seasons. Loons coach Adrian Heath played there for six seasons.
Loons give up stoppage time goal, lose 1-0 to FC Cincinnati
Brandon Vazquez scored a tap-in goal as Cincinnati won its third straight game for the first time in club history.

Trapp returns to Loons' starting lineup; Amarilla, Lod are out
Adrien Hunou started at striker against FC Cincinnati as the Minnesota United attack took on a different look.

Loons' Lawrence shows why he's started his whole career
Veteran defender Kemar Lawrence's place with Minnesota United now is defined after Wednesday's trade sent Chase Gasper to the LA Galaxy.

Loons vs. Cincinnati preview: Lod, Amarilla expected to be ready to play
The two attackers missed training Friday, but coach Adrian Heath said he expected them to be available for Saturday's game.

Heath calls Loons decision to trade Gasper the 'right thing to do'
The Loons and L.A. Galaxy struck a deal a year in the making on Wednesday.

Loons trade left back Gasper to LA Galaxy for 2023 salary cap money
Chase Gasper, 26, hasn't played yet this season because of a concussion sustained in preseason and a month he spent in the league's treatment program.

Loons plan no moves as transfer window closes
Teams have called, but Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath doesn't "think anything will be happening."

Loons' Arriaga and Rosales provide 'really good stuff' in loss at LAFC
The two Honduran countrymen started together in the midfield for first time on Sunday night.

'We made poor choices.' Heath laments Loons 2-0 loss to LAFC
The Loons' five-game unbeaten streak against LAFC ended in the 2-0 defeat, against an opponent to which they hadn't lost since Los Angeles' inaugural season in 2018.

Starting 11 shake-up for late-night Loons
Abu Danladi and Bongokuhle Hlongwane's effectiveness as substitutions earned them starts against LAFC.

Edwards and McDaniels, Wolves' youngest players, finished strong against Memphis
Both plan to work hard on their games in the offseason.
Hondurans Arriaga, Rosales man the Loons' midfield
Thanks to Injuries, absence and their own success, Kervin Arriaga and Joseph Rosales will be important players for the Loons against Los Angeles FC.

Loons vs. LAFC preview: Heath torn on whether to shake up front four
Minnesota United is 1-1-1 at Banc of California Stadium since 2018, when LAFC joined the MLS.

Loons promote Diogo Pacheco after three-assist game
Loons coach Adrian Heath said MNUFC2 has been "invaluable to us" in expanding the team's depth.
MNUFC2 rolls on road
Former MLS SuperDraft first-round pick Justin McMaster scored the game's opening goal in the 22nd minute and its last one on a penalty kick in the 87th minute.

Dotson out for remainder of Loons season because of torn knee ligament
Hassani Dotson, a versatile starter, injured his right knee Friday and will undergo surgery in the coming days, the team said.
Gameday preview: Loons look for third consecutive win amid injuries
The Loons return to MLS action with a home game against the Chicago Fire.

Reynoso looks to heat up for Loons after a cool start
Emanuel Reynoso will look to build off his two-assist performance last week when Minnesota United plays host to Chicago on Saturday.

MLS All-Star Game at Allianz Field will be rematch vs. Mexico's Liga MX
MLS announced the format Thursday for the Aug. 20 All-Star Game in St. Paul, as well as other events tied to the game.

Playing up with the Loons, Hunou scores second goal in three days
He scored Sunday for the Loons' MNUFC2 reserve team and Wednesday in a U.S. Open Cup victory over Forward Madison FC.

Gasper 'better and stronger than ever' after month at treatment center
Minnesota United defender Chase Gasper spoke about anxiety, depression and addiction in his first public comments since entering the MLS' recovery program.
Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Forward Madison FC in U.S. Open Cup match
Loons will play a USL League One team in pro-am soccer tournament.

Loons goalkeeper finds himself at home in yet another new place
Backup goalkeeper Eric Dick is good at adapting to new environments, which is a good thing after moving among eight sides in the last four years.
Loons score twice in two minutes to turn away Colorado Rapids
Robin Lod broke the 1-1 tie with a 77th-minute goal. Second-half sub Abu Danladi scored two minutes later.

Loons captain Trapp aiming for better discipline after yellow card streak
Coach Adrian Heath returned to his usual 4-2-3-1 lineup after two games of experimenting with a 4-3-3.

Loons vs. Colorado preview: Battle of the 2-2-2 records
The Colorado Rapids have scored 15 of their 19 goals against the Loons in second halves.

Metanire's hamstring setback could sideline him weeks longer
Coach Adrian Heath called Romain Metanire's inflammation "disappointing" on same day team welcomed back Chase Gasper after a month's absence.

Built to score this season, Loons have just five goals in six games
Coach Adrian Heath had Minnesota United concentrate on finishing drills heading into Saturday's game vs. Colorado.

Former North Stars All-Star winger Tom McCarthy dies at 61
After his career ended, he served prison time but sought redemption by coaching and teaching young players.

Metanire's possible hamstring setback 'would be huge blow' for Loons
In his season debut Sunday, the Minnesota United defender "maybe tweaked his hamstring again," coach Adrian Heath said.

Minnesota United protective of Trapp's early-game yellow cards
Wil Trapp has received a yellow card in the first ten minutes of three-straight games. Loons coach Adrian Heath cautions, "You don't have to do a lot to get a yellow card."

Minnesota United falls 1-0 to Austin for second-straight loss
The Loons allowed a 58th-minute goal that held up, and after getting shut out they have now scored five goals in six games.

Finlay's fire burns brighter facing former Loons teammates
Ethan Finlay, the former face of Minnesota United, reached a time for a change that took him to Texas to play for Austin FC.

Preview: Minnesota United FC at Austin FC
The teams have matching records, and the Loons have a raft of players returning after injuries.

Loons are fit for first time this season, Heath says
Romain Metanire, Franco Fragapane and Oniel Fisher are all healthy and ready to play Sunday at Austin FC.

Edwards pours in 49 for Wolves, who are stuck in play-in position
Second-year standout Anthony Edwards scored a career-high 49 points in Thursday's win over the Spurs. But with Denver's win, the Timberwolves will be the No. 7 play-in seed and take on the Clippers.
Thursday's Wolves-San Antonio game recap
Anthony Edwards scored more than 40 points for the third time this season.

U.S. soccer's World Cup draw will be good for the game, Loons coach Heath says
Grouping with soccer power England to generate a large, enthusiastic audience, with match timed well on Thanksgiving weekend.

Final Four report: UConn's Fudd limited vs. South Carolina with illness
South Carolina brought its top-ranked season to a victorious end, but an injury-plagued season only got worse for UConn during Sunday's final.

Loons' comeback falls short in first loss of season, 2-1 to Seattle
Minnesota United returned from a two-week break as one of five unbeaten teams in MLS. The Loons had many opportunities but could only score on a late penalty kick.

UConn's 'other' players assist Bueckers in getting to title game in her home state
The Huskies' four other starters combined for 35 points and made big plays near the end.

Unbeaten Loons' 'pragmatic' start has it chasing Western lead
Minnesota United's 2-0-2 start after 0-4 a season ago has set a tone heading into Saturday's game against Seattle.

Minnesota United-Seattle preview: Dayne St. Clair to start in goal again
The undefeated Loons return to action after having last week off.

Loons' Metanire unlikely to make season debut Saturday
Minnesota United starting right back Romain Metanire is not expected ready after a two-week schedule break because of a healing hamstring and turf toe.

Emmings learns a bit as Loons' second team loses opener in NEXT Pro League
Keeper Fred Emmings, a senior at St. Paul Central, got chance to play in first pro soccer match

Canada is back in the World Cup, stirring memories in Minnesota
When Canada qualified for the World Cup in 1986, Minnesota Kicks goalie Tino Lettieri was part of the club. Now, Loons goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair is helping make history.

Wolves triumphant in payback victory over Mavericks
All five starters had double-digit scoring against Dallas on Friday night.

Timberwolves vs. Dallas game recap
Karl-Anthony Towns was efficient with 20 points and nine rebounds in 30 minutes of action.

Wolves dominate Mavericks in rematch as playoff race tightens
All five starters for the Timberwolves finished in double figures as they moved closer to Denver and Dallas for a top-six spot in the Western Conference standings.

New Loons defender Kemar Lawrence felt iced out by Toronto
Lawrence has enjoyed communication with Loons coach Adrian Heath after having no dialogue with new Toronto FC coach Bob Bradley.

Hunou, Loons' highest-paid player, has seen little playing time
French striker Adrien Hunou has played only six minutes this season as Minnesota United is deep with attacking players.

Loons shut down San Jose's chances in 1-0 victory
Luis Amarilla's 32nd-minute goal stood all night as the winner.

Loons' St. Clair 'hungry for more' after Red Bulls shutout
Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair was named MLS Player of the Week and made his second consecutive start Saturday against San Jose.

New Loon Arriaga knows he's not in Honduras anymore
First-year Minnesota United midfielder Kervin Arriaga hasn't cared for the weather, but he has impressed in two games with his new team.

Loons preview: St. Clair to start again vs. San Jose
Dayne St. Clair earned a shutout win against New York Red Bulls and will play Saturday ahead of Tyler Miller.

Minnesota United's Kemar Lawrence acquisition was years in the making
With the trade from Toronto official, Heath said the Loons have been hoping to acquire Lawrence for three years.

Loons finalizing trade with Toronto for defender Lawrence
Kemar Lawrence has been in contention for MLS Defender of the Year honors in recent seasons and is a member of the Jamaican national team.

Loons goalkeeper St. Clair ups stakes with Sunday's clean sheet
Dayne St. Clair has made it clear he wants to be the Loons starter, but for now that spot belongs to Tyler Miller.

Loons edge New York Red Bulls 1-0 behind St. Clair
Dayne St. Clair, making his first start of the season, starred in net while Luis Amarilla scored the game's only goal.

Loons-New York game preview: Team is healthier for Red Bulls
Five Minnesota United players who were injured are now available for selection for Sunday's game, coach Adrian Heath said.

Loons spotted him on TV; now Hlongwane is a big name in MLS
Bongokuhle Hlongwane, 21, was playing in the South African Premier League when the Loons saw his electrifying talent on video.