Jon Marthaler
@jonmarthaler.com
Covering #MNUFC for the Minnesota Star Tribune (but contractually obligated to not indicate nor imply that I'm an employee, or staff member, at same). Can't shut up about Minnesota sports, but still always Minnesota nice. Also still a crackpot.
I don’t know that it was in doubt or anything, but this offseason has been absolute proof that the #MNUFC front office is going to act without sentiment or nostalgia.
December 26, 2025 at 10:53 PM
I don’t know that it was in doubt or anything, but this offseason has been absolute proof that the #MNUFC front office is going to act without sentiment or nostalgia.
Got this on the TV and it’s like a visit from an old friend
Nothing will ever recapture the holiday magic of the Channel 45 Yule Log.
December 25, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Got this on the TV and it’s like a visit from an old friend
Nothing will ever recapture the holiday magic of the Channel 45 Yule Log.
December 24, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Nothing will ever recapture the holiday magic of the Channel 45 Yule Log.
Reposted by Jon Marthaler
Brutal. @lunargiraffe.bsky.social texted me this photo this morning and said "The Ghost of Christmas Future was too late 😢"
December 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Brutal. @lunargiraffe.bsky.social texted me this photo this morning and said "The Ghost of Christmas Future was too late 😢"
Reposted by Jon Marthaler
News brief: #MNUFC trades Joseph Rosales to Austin FC for $1.5 million in GAM, a source confirmed to @pioneerpress.bsky.social on Friday @tombogert.bsky.social first reported.
www.twincities.com/2025/12/19/l...
www.twincities.com/2025/12/19/l...
Loons trade defender Joseph Rosales to Austin FC
Minnesota United has regularly fielded calls from other clubs, both inside MLS and elsewhere in the world, inquiring about the availability of left back Joseph Rosales. On Friday, the Loons moved o…
www.twincities.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:07 AM
News brief: #MNUFC trades Joseph Rosales to Austin FC for $1.5 million in GAM, a source confirmed to @pioneerpress.bsky.social on Friday @tombogert.bsky.social first reported.
www.twincities.com/2025/12/19/l...
www.twincities.com/2025/12/19/l...
The #MNUFC season ended three and a half weeks ago... and the 2026 preseason begins three weeks from now. So far, the offseason has been defined more by departures than signings, so here's a look at where the Loons are at as the calendar turns.
Minnesota United set to begin new era after offseason departures of Dayne St. Clair, Hassani Dotson
Minnesota United set to begin new era after offseason departures of Dayne St. Clair, Hassani Dotson
A new goalkeeper is now at the top of the Loons’ wish list with St. Clair set to join Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
bit.ly
December 19, 2025 at 3:13 AM
The #MNUFC season ended three and a half weeks ago... and the 2026 preseason begins three weeks from now. So far, the offseason has been defined more by departures than signings, so here's a look at where the Loons are at as the calendar turns.
Reposted by Jon Marthaler
Minnesota United set to begin new era after offseason departures of Dayne St. Clair, Hassani Dotson
Minnesota United set to begin new era after offseason departures of Dayne St. Clair, Hassani Dotson
A new goalkeeper is now at the top of the Loons’ wish list with St. Clair set to join Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
bit.ly
December 19, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Minnesota United set to begin new era after offseason departures of Dayne St. Clair, Hassani Dotson
#MNUFC chief soccer officer Khaled El-Ahmad said he's made Robin Lod an offer, and is waiting to see if the midfielder will take it. "The ball is in his court," said El-Ahmad. "Robin is someone we would like to keep."
December 18, 2025 at 9:47 PM
#MNUFC chief soccer officer Khaled El-Ahmad said he's made Robin Lod an offer, and is waiting to see if the midfielder will take it. "The ball is in his court," said El-Ahmad. "Robin is someone we would like to keep."
Wayzata HS standout Joe Highfield, who was an All-American at Portland and has played a couple of years for Minneapolis City, was taken 11th overall by Houston in the MLS SuperDraft. #oneofus
December 18, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Wayzata HS standout Joe Highfield, who was an All-American at Portland and has played a couple of years for Minneapolis City, was taken 11th overall by Houston in the MLS SuperDraft. #oneofus
#MNUFC has made three SuperDraft picks and they're all (at least based on their listed hometowns) USA natives. Loons determined to not use any international roster spots on this draft if they can help it.
December 18, 2025 at 8:28 PM
#MNUFC has made three SuperDraft picks and they're all (at least based on their listed hometowns) USA natives. Loons determined to not use any international roster spots on this draft if they can help it.
#MNUFC first-team players from 2023 that are currently still on the roster:
Michael Boxall
Wil Trapp
Bongokuhle Hlongwane
DJ Taylor
Joseph Rosales
Devin Padelford
They still could re-sign Robin Lod, too. After two years, almost total turnover from the Heath era.
Michael Boxall
Wil Trapp
Bongokuhle Hlongwane
DJ Taylor
Joseph Rosales
Devin Padelford
They still could re-sign Robin Lod, too. After two years, almost total turnover from the Heath era.
December 18, 2025 at 3:47 AM
#MNUFC first-team players from 2023 that are currently still on the roster:
Michael Boxall
Wil Trapp
Bongokuhle Hlongwane
DJ Taylor
Joseph Rosales
Devin Padelford
They still could re-sign Robin Lod, too. After two years, almost total turnover from the Heath era.
Michael Boxall
Wil Trapp
Bongokuhle Hlongwane
DJ Taylor
Joseph Rosales
Devin Padelford
They still could re-sign Robin Lod, too. After two years, almost total turnover from the Heath era.
Random Minnesota Wild stat of the day: After his 44th career game, with no points yet to his name, Ben Jones is now ninth all-time among NHL forwards for a career-beginning pointless streak.
A lot of the names ahead of him - Twist, Bonvie, Janssen, etc - are enforcers.
A lot of the names ahead of him - Twist, Bonvie, Janssen, etc - are enforcers.
December 12, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Random Minnesota Wild stat of the day: After his 44th career game, with no points yet to his name, Ben Jones is now ninth all-time among NHL forwards for a career-beginning pointless streak.
A lot of the names ahead of him - Twist, Bonvie, Janssen, etc - are enforcers.
A lot of the names ahead of him - Twist, Bonvie, Janssen, etc - are enforcers.
I'm so relieved, it had almost gone six entire hours without snowing and I was getting so WORRIED
December 9, 2025 at 7:59 PM
I'm so relieved, it had almost gone six entire hours without snowing and I was getting so WORRIED
Note: #MNUFC CEO Shari Ballard was named the MLS Executive of the Year.
This is not something media / clubs vote on, FYI: The release says the award "was selected by League stakeholders based on pre-defined quantitative and qualitative criteria."
This is not something media / clubs vote on, FYI: The release says the award "was selected by League stakeholders based on pre-defined quantitative and qualitative criteria."
December 8, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Note: #MNUFC CEO Shari Ballard was named the MLS Executive of the Year.
This is not something media / clubs vote on, FYI: The release says the award "was selected by League stakeholders based on pre-defined quantitative and qualitative criteria."
This is not something media / clubs vote on, FYI: The release says the award "was selected by League stakeholders based on pre-defined quantitative and qualitative criteria."
Reposted by Jon Marthaler
#MNUFC fans gave rightful props to @andygreder.bsky.social and @jonmarthaler.com for their excellent coverage of the team, naming them equally with the Doyle/Bogert duopoly seen league-wide. Hometown ace @jeffrueter.bsky.social also got a larger shout out from the Loons faithful
December 4, 2025 at 5:30 PM
#MNUFC fans gave rightful props to @andygreder.bsky.social and @jonmarthaler.com for their excellent coverage of the team, naming them equally with the Doyle/Bogert duopoly seen league-wide. Hometown ace @jeffrueter.bsky.social also got a larger shout out from the Loons faithful
@christopherhine.bsky.social Once a year, I dig in and do the most important investigative reporting that I ever do, and here are the 2025 results:
Sia’s Christmas album still slaps
Sia’s Christmas album still slaps
November 30, 2025 at 6:38 PM
@christopherhine.bsky.social Once a year, I dig in and do the most important investigative reporting that I ever do, and here are the 2025 results:
Sia’s Christmas album still slaps
Sia’s Christmas album still slaps
You might remember that last year, Wil Trapp had his option declined by #MNUFC at the end of the season, but that was just a precursor to "we are signing this guy to a new one-year contract with a team option."
I have no inside info but that's my guess as to what happens to Robin Lod.
I have no inside info but that's my guess as to what happens to Robin Lod.
November 27, 2025 at 12:29 AM
You might remember that last year, Wil Trapp had his option declined by #MNUFC at the end of the season, but that was just a precursor to "we are signing this guy to a new one-year contract with a team option."
I have no inside info but that's my guess as to what happens to Robin Lod.
I have no inside info but that's my guess as to what happens to Robin Lod.
#MNUFC contract decisions are out.
Kipp Keller, Sam Shashoua, Loïc Mesanvi, and Robin Lod had their options declined.
But the release says "the club is undergoing... negotiations" with Lod, Mesanvi, and Dayne St. Clair, which is often - but not always - a signal that they're all but signed.
Kipp Keller, Sam Shashoua, Loïc Mesanvi, and Robin Lod had their options declined.
But the release says "the club is undergoing... negotiations" with Lod, Mesanvi, and Dayne St. Clair, which is often - but not always - a signal that they're all but signed.
November 27, 2025 at 12:19 AM
#MNUFC contract decisions are out.
Kipp Keller, Sam Shashoua, Loïc Mesanvi, and Robin Lod had their options declined.
But the release says "the club is undergoing... negotiations" with Lod, Mesanvi, and Dayne St. Clair, which is often - but not always - a signal that they're all but signed.
Kipp Keller, Sam Shashoua, Loïc Mesanvi, and Robin Lod had their options declined.
But the release says "the club is undergoing... negotiations" with Lod, Mesanvi, and Dayne St. Clair, which is often - but not always - a signal that they're all but signed.
“The squad will need to improve.”
#MNUFC had another decent season, but they’re yet to become the finished product. Whether 2025 is another step forward for the club depends on what comes next. Final story from San Diego:
#MNUFC had another decent season, but they’re yet to become the finished product. Whether 2025 is another step forward for the club depends on what comes next. Final story from San Diego:
www.startribune.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:54 PM
“The squad will need to improve.”
#MNUFC had another decent season, but they’re yet to become the finished product. Whether 2025 is another step forward for the club depends on what comes next. Final story from San Diego:
#MNUFC had another decent season, but they’re yet to become the finished product. Whether 2025 is another step forward for the club depends on what comes next. Final story from San Diego:
Quotes added to the #MNUFC game story. "It didn’t feel like we were going to be done with our season today," said midfielder Wil Trapp.
www.startribune.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Quotes added to the #MNUFC game story. "It didn’t feel like we were going to be done with our season today," said midfielder Wil Trapp.
Nectarios Triantis was so good for #MNUFC down the stretch - I kind of wonder whether we'll actually see him in a Loons uniform again, or if he'll be back in the Premier League in January.
Other summer signings weren't so effective. Dominik Fitz played 8 min in the playoffs, Mamadou Dieng 0.
Other summer signings weren't so effective. Dominik Fitz played 8 min in the playoffs, Mamadou Dieng 0.
November 25, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Nectarios Triantis was so good for #MNUFC down the stretch - I kind of wonder whether we'll actually see him in a Loons uniform again, or if he'll be back in the Premier League in January.
Other summer signings weren't so effective. Dominik Fitz played 8 min in the playoffs, Mamadou Dieng 0.
Other summer signings weren't so effective. Dominik Fitz played 8 min in the playoffs, Mamadou Dieng 0.
Kelvin Yeboah led #MNUFC with 13 goals in all competitions this season, but he also closed the year on a streak of 13 appearances without a goal.
November 25, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Kelvin Yeboah led #MNUFC with 13 goals in all competitions this season, but he also closed the year on a streak of 13 appearances without a goal.