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
March 11
Cameron Knowles, middle, has earned a full-time position on the Loons' coaching staff.

Minnesota United keeps Knowles as assistant coach under Ramsay

After starting the season 2-0-1 with Cameron Knowles as interim coach, the Loons rewarded him Monday with an assistant position on new coach Eric Ramsay's staff.
Loons
March 9
The Loons' Bongokuhle Hlongwane leaps on Teemu Pukki to celebrate during a game last season. Each scored Saturday night in Orlando.

Loons top Orlando 3-2 with Hlongwane's stoppage-time goal

Making his season debut, Bongokuhle Hlongwane entered as a substitute and sent the Loons home winners with a goal in the 96th minute.
Loons
March 8
Minnesota United midfielder Emanuel Reynoso is expected to play Saturday in Dallas

Minnesota United's Emanuel Reynoso to miss third game in a row to start season

Loons interim coach Cameron Knowles said the star midfielder won't play at Orlando on Saturday but should be back next week.
Sports
March 6
Minnesota Aurora coach Nicole Lukic talks to players during practice at TCO Stadium last May. The team announced Wednesday that Lukic will leave befor

Minnesota Aurora's Lukic to depart at the end of March

The team's sporting director and coach has accepted a position with U.S. Soccer.
Loons
March 5
The U.S. Women's National Team is coming back to Allianz Field to play Korea Republic, a rematch of their friendly from 2021.

USWNT to play Korea Republic at Allianz Field on June 4

This will be the third trip to Minnesota for the U.S. Women's National soccer team, and the first to feature their new head coach Emma Hayes.
Loons
March 3
Minnesota United midfielder Tani Oluwaseyi (14) is congratulated by teammates after scoring the tying goal in stoppage time against the Columbus Crew.

'God be with the ball.' Stoppage time goal gives Loons a draw

Tani Oluwaseyi's whirling shot in the 94th minute of Minnesota United's home opener pushed the Loons to a 1-1 draw with Columbus.
Loons
March 2
Loons forward Tani Oluwaseyi beats Columbus goalie Patrick Schulte from in tight to snatch a tie in the home opener.

Reusse: With new pressing tactics, Loons fans could be in for a fun season

Minnesota United's home opener featured a Liverpool-style, high-intensity press that left even Patrick Reusse begrudgingly entertained.
Loons
March 1
Christian Ramirez lifted his first MLS Cup trophy with the Columbus Crew in December. Ramirez played five seasons in Minnesota.

Minnesota United vs. Columbus preview: Home opener features MLS Cup champs

It's set to be a mix of new and old at Allianz Field, with former Minnesota United mainstay Christian Ramirez playing for the Crew and young Loons eyeing more playing time.
Loons
March 1
Veteran midfielder Wil Trapp hugs Minnesota United teammate Alejandro Bran after Bran's goal secured the win in his MLS debut vs. Austin.

Youngest Loons firmly in the mix for Saturday's home opener

The Loons return to Allianz Field to play defending champs Columbus after getting key late-game production from four up-and-comers at Austin.
Loons
February 29
Minnesota United sporting director Khaled El-Ahmad makes his first media appearance Thursday to discuss the future of the Loons.

Loons' new soccer boss discusses Ramsay hiring and more

In Khaled El-Ahmad's first media availability since joining the Loons, the sporting director laid out his vision for the team's tactics, youth movement and ... Olive Garden?
Loons
February 28
Minnesota United forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane had a breakout season last year.

Loons' Reynoso, Hlongwane doubtful for home opener vs. Columbus

The Loons will face defending MLS champion Columbus on Saturday at Allianz Field without Bongokuhle Hlongwane and likely without Emanuel Reynoso.
Loons
February 26
New Minnesota United coach Eric Ramsay, who at 32 becomes the youngest permanent head coach in MLS history.

Minnesota United officially announce Eric Ramsay as coach

The Loons made a formal announcement days after the former Manchester United assistant signed a contract to join the MLS team.
Loons
February 24
Austin FC midfielder Ethan Finlay and Loons midfielder Joseph Rosales fought for control of the ball during Saturday's match at Q2 stadium in Austin,

Loons open MLS season with thrilling 2-1 victory in Austin

The Loons, playing without a permanent head coach, dominated the first half, then held on fiercely at the end.
Loons
February 23
Minnesota United interim coach Cameron Knowles will stay in his role until new head coach Eric Ramsay is settled.

Loons begin new season Saturday after big changes at the top

New sporting director Khaled El-Ahmad hired Eric Ramsay as head coach, but interim coach Cameron Knowles will lead the team in the opener at Austin.
Loons
February 23
Minnesota United's Teemu Pukki went on a goal-scoring spree late last season, including four in one game.

Five Minnesota United players to watch in 2024

The Loons have a mix of young and old looking to bounce back from last year's 10-13-11 finish, along with some new faces.
Loons
February 22
Minnesota United fans have been waiting for the team to hire a new coach to replace Adrian Heath.

New Loons coach Ramsay signs contract, making his hiring official

After firing Adrian Heath late last season, the Loons replaced him with Manchester United assistant coach Eric Ramsay.
Loons
February 22
Minnesota United midfielder Emanuel Reynoso changes the complexion of the team's offense when he's on the field.

Injured Reynoso to miss Minnesota United's season opener Saturday

The Loons open their season without their best player after a knee injury kept him out of preseason friendlies.
Sports
February 21

Lionel Messi gets an assist, Inter Miami opens MLS season with 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake

Lionel Messi had two Real Salt Lake defenders on either side of him, two more a few yards in front of him. He quickly tapped the ball away from them all with his left foot, to a spot where only teammate Robert Taylor could reach.
Loons
February 21
Minnesota United fans celebrated a win against the Los Angeles Galaxy last Oct. 7 at Allianz Field.

Ten things to know about Minnesota United's leading coaching candidate

Eric Ramsay, an assistant coach for Manchester United, is a former pro soccer player from Wales who has worked his way through the coaching ranks.
Loons
February 20
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) battled Newell's Old Boys midfielder Julian Fernandez, left, in a friendly Thursday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Five MLS story lines: Messi's return, Columbus Crew's title defense, etc.

The new MLS season kicks off Wednesday, with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami facing Real Salt Lake. Minnesota United opens Saturday.