Jon Marthaler

I’m still a Timberwolves fan, so you know pain will not deter me

The other thing is this. I have seen several versions of "if the owners don't care then fans shouldn't care either," which is logical - but logic has nothing to do with fandom.

I don't like the Twins because they're good or well run. I won't - can't - turn it off somehow, just because they stink.

My main takeaway from the Twins' Thursday Night Massacre:

Never forget whose fault this is: ownership. Get mad all you want about the returns on the trades, but assign the blame correctly for *why* trades were made, and why the team couldn't add to their success from two years ago.

A monument to what can be accomplished in a short time, if you only have terrible ownership

One harried staffer at the Budget Rent-A-Car desk in Toledo, trying to rent enough vans to get half the St. Paul Saints to Cleveland

(/Derek Falvey yelling across the room) hey guys, it *was* left-handed-hitting outfielders that we needed, right? I didn't write that down wrong, did I?

Loons pick up comfortable Leagues Cup victory over Querétaro Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Kelvin Yeboah gave the Loons a lead within the first 20 minutes of a breezy victory over Liga MX foe.

#MNUFC game story for @stribsports.startribune.com: For once, a pretty comfortable win for Minnesota United, as the Loons roll 4-1 over Querétaro

FINAL: Maybe #MNUFC should join Liga MX. The Loons are still undefeated against Mexican sides, and a late goal from Tani Oluwaseyi has made it a comfortable 4-1 win for Minnesota in the opening game of the Leagues Cup.

It wouldn't be Leagues Cup without a red card. Angel Zapata kicks the crap out of Joseph Rosales from behind, already on a yellow, and gets sent off with four minutes to go.

Just silly, down 3-1.

#MNUFC

Anthony Markanich scores in every game.

I don't know how it's possible but Anthony Markanich scores in every game for #MNUFC.

It's 3-1 Loons, that's nine goals for Markanich this year, and that should do it for the Loons...

Well, don't end the game yet. The ball falls to Jhojan Julio at the back post, he cuts inside Julian Gressel and beats Dayne St. Clair top shelf.

#MNUFC 2, Querétaro 1, and there's still a quarter of the match to go... can the visitors steal something here?

Little bit of wrestling on the field, too, as a Querétaro defender gets Bongokuhle Hlongwane in an arm bar and flips him.

Just like in wrestling, though, the referee somehow doesn't see anything.

#MNUFC

I don't have actual numbers for this but my guess is that in the middle third, #MNUFC has a 100% win rate on both headers and attempted tackles

let's blame Walmart

Querétaro's pressing is so nonexistent that Joseph Rosales has effectively become a third forward when #MNUFC has the ball

I smell a second career. That or pro golfer

I didn't see, was Boxall out there as anyone's tag partner

Note: #MNUFC is on a four-game streak of having a player sent off in a Leagues Cup game, and is 4/7 all-time. Let's see if they can reach halftime before they're down to ten men

20 minutes gone and it's 2-0 #MNUFC. Bongi wins a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area, and Kelvin Yeboah drills it right-footed into the bottom right-corner.

Loons cruising, Querétaro not at the races yet

If it's Leagues Cup, it's Bongokuhle Hlongwane!

The winger feeds Joseph Rosales, gets back a deflected shot, and pokes the ball under the keeper. #MNUFC leads 1-0, it's Hlongwane's eighth goal in Leagues Cup all time

I'm not willing to rule anything out yet

By the way, according to the lineup card, Nicolás Romero's name is "Fernando Romero"

Leagues Cup lineup news for #MNUFC: No Tani Oluwaseyi, no Michael Boxall, no Carlos Harvey, no Wil Trapp in the starting XI. Owen Gene, Morris Duggan, and both Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Julian Gressel are in.

Honestly just guessing at this formation:

9 - 21
26 - 30 - 17
8 - 5 - 23 - 28 - 24
97

Minnesota United’s schedule enters Leagues Cup stretch, if you can remember what that is The yearly tournament between teams from Major League Soccer and Liga MX in Mexico has its fourth different format in six seasons. Minnesota United begins play on Wednesday vs. Querétaro.

Minnesota United’s schedule enters Leagues Cup stretch by @jonmarthaler.com

www.startribune.com/minnesota-un...

They keep changing the format of the Leagues Cup, so here’s an explainer about how it works, who #MNUFC plays, and what it means in the bigger context of their season.

Was just reminded by an MLS PR email that #MNUFC 's Bongokuhle Hlongwane is tied for third in Leagues Cup history, with seven goals all-time. He's behind two schlubs named Bouanga (12) and Messi (10).

How are you enjoying being wrong

Twins trade deadline intel:

- Lots of strong interest in Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax.

- Teams looking at Willi Castro more as infielder than outfielder.

- Harrison Bader and Danny Coulombe should have solid markets.

- Less so for Chris Paddack, but he should be tradable.

I don’t think so but if I see Barney Rubble around then I’ll let you know

Full time. City's Cinderella run ends just shy of the Central Conference title. The Crows couldn't add to an early goal from Morgan Olson and were undone by the USL2's leading goalscorer.

🖤🖤🖤