Tactical Loon

It’s no longer about playing a killer pass immediately after regaining possession.

But this change won’t fully happen overnight. Having the players build these relationships on the ball will take time — a “common language” still needs to be developed.

#MNUFC

(2/2 🧵)

"Longer stretches of possession... that possession amounting to chances."

Even after one game, the difference between Ramsay & Knowles is noticeable. Under Ramsay, we might’ve had 3–4 sustained possessions in the opponent’s half; under Knowles, we had numerous.

(1/2 🧵)

Trapp & Valentin both come across as happy with the new style under Knowles, and it seems the rest of the players are much happier as well — not surprised at all.

#MNUFC

Was the full postgame presser ever posted anywhere?

#MNUFC

🚨 2026 In-Season Depth Chart 🚨

#MNUFC #MinnesotaUnited

Ahhh! Okay, thanks!

I saw @andygreder.bsky.social report a few hours ago Diaz got his green card, but haven't heard if he's back with the team yet or not...

Knowles has been talking about playing w/ increased risk, central combinations & rotations.

Most common rotations seems to be with our 6s and 10s.

Central combinations = increased risk. And that risk is (central) counter-attacks against us. Maintaining that 3-2 base seems to be key for Cam.

How would future coach Kelvin Yeboah want his team to look like...🤔

#MNUFC

"an increase in risk appetite with the ball ... central combinations"

Cam is absolutely speaking my language.

#MNUFC

"...and bringing in some attacking ideas, or some options...principles, whatever you want to call them. But doing it in smaller doses." -Wolff

Knowles talking about the principles being a work in progress after Charlotte match:
-close connections
-rotations

#MNUFC

Rough day for Boxall vs. Charlotte.

Does anyone have concerns about Boxall moving from a 5-4-1 (3 CBs) to a 4-4-2 with just 2 CBs this season?

#MNUFC

A small Triantis observation…

It’s something I noticed when he arrived, & it’s popped up a few times already in preseason. There have been a few moments where he’s lost possession in dangerous areas — particularly on the turn — which may come down to poor scanning...

#MNUFC

It's connecting with a teammate outside their natural field of vision.

As the ball is being played into Yeboah, he'll scan/check over his shoulder to see if he can do a 1-touch pass/flick to the player behind him.

🟦 Closer to goal, you’ll see defenders step out more often, which creates the space. Markanich takes it well.

Two brilliant passes from Trapp.

(2/2 🧵)

Pattern continues.

🟦 We see Yeboah drop deep in the sequence. It doesn’t drag any defenders, but since this is straight off the training pitch, Bongi knows what’s happening. Look at his body shape compared to the defenders’. He easily blows by them because he knows what’s coming.

#MNUFC

(1/2 🧵)

Screenshot of how #MNUFC shape generally looked when progressing in the opponent’s half:

Many things can come from this look, so we’ll need to see more sustained possession this preseason to really get a feel for the style and principles Knowles is trying to implement...

This will become far more dangerous if the entry pass into Yeboah is done diagonally vs. vertically (& closer to opposition box. This happened once and created a goal.)

Players (in close proximity) also need to become more attuned with this pattern — something to keep an eye on.

(2/2 🧵)

In the first #MNUFC preseason match, Yeboah consistently dropped deep to trigger one of 3 outcomes:

🟦 Third-man run in behind
🟦 A Yeboah shadowplay action
🟦 Space for a direct ball in behind

(1/2 🧵)

Definitely saw more aggressive jump-outs under Knowles (this needs to be coached well, or major gaps will appear), and I imagine we’ll see the line pushed higher in upcoming preseason matches.

#MNUFC

(2/2 🧵)

New #MNUFC defensive shape during today’s game - 442:

At Knowle's introductory conference, "...we evolve, line of confrontation when we're defending - a little bit higher, few different moments where we can press the ball - a little more aggressive"

(1/2 🧵)

Rodríguez will see passing lanes no one else on this team can imagine — and complete them. A true #10 is back on the menu at Minnesota United. It may be short-lived, but we’re in for quite a joyride.

#MNUFC

My love for Chancalay just quadrupled.

#MNUFC

#MNUFC

(Part 2/2)

Adrian Heath comments on the James Rodríguez rumors to Minnesota United:

#MNUFC

(Part 1/2)

Trapp on the differences in training under Knowles vs. Ramsay — another clue to how #MNUFC may look different this season:

"...what we do with the ball are obviously going to look different with a new coach ... so for him it's different exercises that we're doing in training."

It looks like he had a hell of a senior year.

#MNUFC

Latest Greder article: "Loons midfielder Nectar Triantis, who has been away from the team for personal reasons, is expected to rejoin “soon,”"

Ahh, I’m bouncing back and forth between 5 and 6.