Recent content from Jerry Zgoda
'Cruel game': Loons open season with 4-0 loss at Seattle
Seeking revenge at Lumen Field four months after its season abruptly ended there in the MLS Western Conference final, Minnesota United instead endured a second-half thrashing.
Injured Ike Opara remains on Minnesota United FC roster
The standout defender played in only two games last season.
Singular talent Reynoso poised to elevate Loons even more
Minnesota United star Emanuel Reynoso meets 2021 with a world of talent and a loss to live down as the Loons open their season tonight at the site of last year's stunning finish.
Bucks play without Giannis, rout Timberwolves anyway
Karl-Anthony Towns wasn't in the Minnesota lineup for the second consecutive game - both afternoon starts - but, "that's not an excuse," Wolves rookie guard Anthony Edwards said.
Loons land high-scoring Argentine striker Ramon Abila
"Wanchope" comes to the Loons on a one-season loan with an option to buy his rights. He scored 41 goals in 88 games during six Argentina first-division seasons
Looking ahead: Russell's return means Wolves can experiment
Playing D'Angelo Russell with Karl-Anthony Towns gives coach Chris Finch a chance to prepare for next season.
Russell returns — as do fans — as Timberwolves defeat Sacramento
Point guard D'Angelo Russell scored 13 of his team-high 25 points in the fourth quarter at Target Center.
Wolves guard Beasley sidelined 4-6 weeks because of hamstring injury
Malik Beasley will be lost to the Timberwolves for 4-6 weeks after an MRI on Monday revealed the guard had a grade 3 left hamstring injury.
Loons sign first-round draft picks McMaster, Kibunguchy
Minnesota United signed first-round draft picks Justin McMaster and Nabilai Kibunguchy on Saturday, and then former Wake Forest striker McMaster went out and scored his second goal in three preseason games.
Win streak escapes Wolves again as Memphis continues its hold at home
After Friday night, the Wolves still haven't won back-to-back games since the start of the season while the Grizzlies now have won 17 of their last 20 against the Wolves at home.
Loons are deep in goal with Miller back and healthy
Tyler Miller has looked and felt good after August hip surgery.
'Win-ability' is key word for Loons' training boss Roden
Damian Roden, the Loons' senior director of sports science, has been a jack of all trades.
Minnesota United beats Columbus in MLS exhibition in Florida
Coach Adrian Heath thinks team is close to finding a replacement for Kevin Molino.
Loons face challenge of a Western Conference-heavy MLS schedule
Of the Loons' 34 games, 32 will be against teams from the strong Western Conference
'I learned from my mistakes.' Beasley says he's improved man after suspension
Malik Beasley returned to the starting lineup over the weekend after a 12-game suspension resulting from his guilty plea to making threats of violence outside his home last year.
Wolves get what they deserve this time with blowout loss to Houston
A night after rallying from 19 down, this time the Wolves stayed down.
Karl-Anthony Towns on Atlanta shootings: 'It doesn't belong in society'
The Wolves star denounced violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Minnesota United opens preseason with 9-0 victory over Charleston Battery
Adrian Heath said the team is still hoping to acquire some players before the season begins.
Bloomington's Yueill captains U.S. team striving for Olympics
Midfielder Jackson Yueill leads a group facing Honduras on Sunday in a CONCACAF semifinal.
Minnesota United 2021 schedule includes four nationally televised games at home
The Loons' regular season schedule was released Wednesday, with four of the team's first six games played at Allianz Field before a limited number of fans.
United's Dotson raises profile with two-goal game for U.S. team
Loons midfielder Hassani Dotson's two goals sparked the Olympic hopefuls in defeating the Dominican Republic.
Loons close to acquiring Argentine striker Ramon Abila
Minnesota United is near acquiring Argentine striker Ramon Abila, a former teammate of Loons star Emanuel Reynoso when both played for their famed Boca Juniors club.
Loons sign newly acquired midfielder Niko Hansen to two-year deal
Coach Adrian Heath said the former Houston Dynamo player's versatility will be a big asset for the Loons.
Edwards scores career-best 34, Wolves hold off Portland 114-112
The Timberwolves beat the Blazers and ended a six-game home losing streak, sparked by Anthony Edwards hitting six three-pointers and a crushing dunk.
Loons' Dotson to play for U.S. team seeking Olympic bid
The midfielder was chosen to play for the U.S. Under-23 men's national team that will compete in the Concacaf Olympic qualifying starting next week in Mexico.
Loons coach Heath: 'A few holes to fill,' and a vow to be better
Now that Minnesota United missed reaching the MLS Cup in December by a mere minute, coach Adrian Heath said there's only one way to improve.
Minnesota United makes Ozzie Alonso signing official
The veteran defensive midfielder gets a one-year deal at age 35.
Loons announce signing of 'homegrown player' Patrick Weah
The 17-year-old forward signed a four-year contract with a club option for a fifth year.
Loons sign MLS veteran Agudelo to fill void at striker
Juan Agudelo, who spent much of his MLS career with New England, played last season with new MLS franchise Inter Miami, scoring three goals in 14 games.
Early Loons start training in Blaine a week ahead of schedule
A "vast majority'' of Minnesota United players showed up Monday, a team statement said, including a mix of veterans from last year's team along with newly acquired defensive midfielder Wil Trapp.
Outfielder Rooker doesn't wait long to signal return to power
After breaking his arm last season when he was called up by the Twins, ex-Mississippi State slugger Brent Rooker had surgery.
Loons 'just the beginning' for Twin Cities-raised soccer dreamer Weah
With a royal soccer surname in his home country, a self-help book on his nightstand and a number chosen from scripture, teenager Patrick Weah's path proves the African proverb about raising a child.
Twins' Kirilloff eager to play again after 'long summer'
Last season brought a second version of spring training for Twins prospects after COVID-19 disrupted everything in March. The games begin again Sunday in Florida.
Twins gather for first full-squad workout of training camp, but not too closely
Manager Rocco Baldelli addresses the socially distanced group, saying "We're missing nothing, so it's up to us now."
3M Open plans to have 10,000 people per day for July tournament
Executive director Hollis Cavner will make his pitch to the governor's office in April. Other PGA tournaments are now including fans.
Minnesota United adds USL Championship defender D.J. Taylor
The 23-year-old, who played for North Carolina FC, is expected to help bolster the team's depth behind veteran right back Romain Metanire.
Loons' season opener moved back to April 17, fans at games in doubt
MLS Commissioner Don Garber sounded little near-term optimism about big crowds at stadiums, calling them unlikely "for probably most, if not all, of the season.''
Loons seeking youth soccer players for new MLS development leagues
Minnesota United's Youth Development Program is assessing more than 700 area players to find those good enough to play in 'MLS Next.'
Loons sign Jacori Hayes, three others to new contracts
Defenders Brent Kallman and Callum Montgomery and backup goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas also signed new deals.
Minnesota United acquires rights to former Montreal Impact captain Jukka Raitala
Raitala, who primarily plays left back, is a former German Bundesliga and Finnish leagues player who was with Montreal for the past three seasons.
Minnesota United to open season one month later than usual
MLS announced Monday that teams can begin preseason training on Feb. 2 for opening games on the weekend of April 3-4, a delay owing to the late finish of the pandemic-altered 2020 season.
Loons draft Justin McMaster, Nabilai Kibunguchy in MLS SuperDraft
The Loons had the 25th pick, but traded up to get Nos. 17 and 18.
Leaving the Loons, midfielder Molino signs with MLS champion Columbus
Kevin Molino had nine goals during the regular season and four in three games during Minnesota United's run to the league semifinals.
Minnesota United signs USMNT veteran Trapp
Defensive midfielder Wil Trapp played seven seasons for his hometown Columbus Crew in the MLS.
In late-night post, Loons star Molino says farewell to Minnesota
Veteran midfielder and Kevin Molino posted an Instagram farewell to Minnesota United and its fans after starring for the club in its first four MLS seasons.
'Big decisions' ahead after Loons' season ends up with startling thud
Coach Adrian Heath promised progress for a franchise that he said will include roster-changing moves such as the ones that brought star Emanuel Reynoso and defender Bakaye Dibassy.to the club.
Loons collapse in final minutes; two-goal lead becomes 3-2 loss to Seattle
Leading defending champion Seattle 2-0 after 75 minutes, Minnesota United went from being on the verge of making the MLS Cup title match to a crushing defeat by the Sounders for the Western Conference title.
Seattle coach, Loons' Alonso keep distance for big game
Brian Schmetzer coached four-time MLS All-Star Ozzie Alonso for 10 seasons as a Sounders assistant and head coach and the two have remained friends. But they ignored each other in the days before the Western Conference final.
Loons stay with effective four front in Monday's MLS Western final
The Loons stay with Robin Lod roaming with Kevin Molino, Emanuel Reynoso and Ethan Finlay that has served them so well in playoffs so far.
Loons head to MLS Western Conference final in a rush
Minnesota United enters Monday's Western Conference final at Seattle with two fewer days to rest and prepare than the opponent, all in the name of growing its league.
Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath hopes Luis Amarilla will return
The Loons striker, on loan from an Argentinian team, missed most of the 2020 season because of an injury.
Minnesota United goal scorer Kevin Molino is living up to his 'Hot Boi' nickname
The Loons veteran is on a scoring tear, with help from Emanuel Reynoso.
Loons could wind up hosting MLS Cup final
Minnesota United will play for the league title at home if eighth-seeded New England wins Sunday at third-seeded Columbus in the Eastern final and if the Loons beat the defending MLS Cup champion Sounders on Monday.
St. Clair establishes himself as standout in Loons' playoff surge
Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair had another clean sheet Thursday night as the Loons advanced to the MLS Western Conference final.
Loons stun Sporting KC with first-half thunder, move within one game of MLS Cup
Minnesota United scored three times in a 12-minute stretch, winning for the first time ever in Kansas City and moving into Monday night's Western Conference title match in Seattle.
Minnesota United to get little rest after advancing to Western Conference final
Minnesota United's 3-0 victory over top-seeded Sporting Kansas City in a Western Conference semifinal Thursday means the Loons now get only three full days' preparation before Monday's conference final.
3M champion Michael Thompson talks about life as a golf 'late bloomer'
The victory in Minnesota opened some doors for the 35-year-old Georgian.
![Minnesota FC midfielder and captain Osvaldo Alonso (6) headed the ball back up field in the second half.]](https://chorus.stimg.co/22152627/ancientpagod_1607044145_aozzie2.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Sporting K.C. missing star striker Alan Pulido tonight vs. Minnesota United
Minnesota United gets starters Ozzie Alonso and Romain Metanire back in its 11 for tonight's MLS Western Conference semifinal while host Sporting Kansas City will play without injured star striker Alan Pulido
'Blue Hell' might not be as hot for Loons in MLS playoff semifinal
Minnesota United knows better than most MLS teams why Sporting Kansas City's home field is called "Blue Hell."
Loons' MLS playoff game moves to fill network's Thursday football spot
The Loons will travel to Kansas City in a game that was moved from Wednesday. It will be shown on FOX as a replacement for a postponed NFL game.
Loons' attackers clicking like never before as next playoff game nears
Robin Lod, Kevin Molino and Emanuel Reynoso have led a charge to 18 goals in past 11 games.
Dotson draws praise from Loons' Heath for his versatility
Hassani Dotson stepped in for Romain Metanire in the Loons' first-round playoff victory.
Loons' playoff game at Sporting Kansas City set for Dec. 2
The Loons advanced to the MLS Western Conference semifinals for the first time by beating Colorado Rapids.
Minnesota United spending pays off, with Molino next in line
The Loons' leading scorer will become a free agent when the MLS playoffs end.
Loons shut down Colorado 3-0 for first win in MLS playoffs
Recently named runner-up for MLS Comeback Player of the Year, veteran midfielder Kevin Molino scored twice and Robin Lod once.
Molino restates his case for award gone elsewhere
Starting right back Romain Metanire didn't get back in country from playing for his Madagascar team in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.
A long, strange Loons season heads to the MLS playoffs tonight
Minnesota United has dealt with the coronavirus pandemic and injuries, and enters Sunday's playoff game on an eight-game unbeaten streak.
![Minnesota United defender Michael Boxall (15) attempted a shot during stoppage time against Sporting Kansas City. ] aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com Min](https://stmedia.stimg.co/ows_a3de07c9-5253-4413-a6a7-811fefaca278.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Boxall returns from rare hiatus for Loons playoff game
Minnesota United veteran defender Michael Boxall missed the past two games after suffering a laceration in a collision with a goalpost.
International quartet expected to be available for Loons playoff game
Jan Gregus, Robin Lod, Romain Metanire and Kei Kamara will have to test negative for COVID-19.
Returning international players could be eligible for Loons on Sunday
Four United players on international duty look to return for Sunday's game.
Minnesota United in a playoff bind without four key players
FIFA matches overseas will shelve Loons standouts for Round 1 of playoffs.
Minnesota United's Molino is MLS player of the week
The midfielder was in on all three goals in Sunday's victory over FC Dallas.
Four Loons players will miss playoff game for FIFA tournament
Robin Lod and three other starters leave Monday to join their national teams during FIFA's November International Play and none are due back in time for a mandatory quarantine and the start of the playoffs.
Loons earn home playoff berth with Decision Day victory over FC Dallas
Minnesota United advanced to a home playoff game, to be played later this month, for the second consecutive season with Sunday's 3-0 victory over FC Dallas at Allianz Field.
