Mike Beckstrand
@beckstrand
Research Methodologist @ UMN, CLA. Saint Paulite, YIMBY urbanist, ebiker, dad. MNUFC fan & MLS sicko. COYL. he/him.
Dieng particularly a non-factor, unfortunately. Pereyra so far forward is a big positive here, though.
Loons control the second quarter, but the familiar refrain rings out: lack of quality in the final third. Markanich's run and chip produced 0.75 of their xG, and Pereyra settled for some hopeful long shots toward the end of the half as the stagnancy took hold. #MNUFC needs a change to capitalize.
From the season starting MLS roster compliance release, #MNUFC stood out as the team with the most players out on loan, and with the number of those loaned out that were international players. Michel has been added to this count (& Fitz being rumored to be, too). And isn't counting Fariña or Bran.
Fair point to actually do it instead of just pointing out the statistical mistake. And you're right for the full knockout minutes, MLS does stay in 6th (which is tricky to see not worked out, I'd argue). It doesn't stay put when we move to the non-domestic metric, but the movement isn't big at all.
Noted a ton of cargo ebikes as I ran my kids around this morning and lo-and-behold, it's the top local story in today's Sunday Pioneer Press (gift link): www.twincities.com/2026/07/11/c... (Of course, it's right next to Soucheray clutching pearls and shaking fists at clouds, but water remains wet)
Fireworks over the Saint Paul Cathedral were a treat. Watching from the hill at Saint Paul College, we were blown away by how many private displays were going on across the city (and still bursting two hours later)
Is it "reactionary" to note #MNUFC is in the bottom 5 teams for goals scored? Or that they have a cold striker and no attacking depth? Or that they've fallen to the middle of the table? Or that their competitors are already adding top-end talent?
Hit a pleasing odometer reading at a red light today after about 5 years of fair-weather #ebike commuting.
Finally on the shuttle bus in KC. Turns out stadiums in the middle of nowhere where with no transit are bit of a mess. The heros celebration that 🇨🇼GK Room got was amazing though
Bafana Bafana has been more deserving of this meme-age than CR7 was yesterday. Let 'er rip.
I am ready for the CR7 barrage...from a safe, screen-mediated distance. I hope those behind the goals are prepared.
If you're not subscribed to @jonmarthaler.com's substack for his World Cup diary, well hurry over.
UMN's West Bank campus is quaint in its small way, but clear cutting the tree-covered central plaza in front of the performing arts center and main library...while giving little-to-no explanation (or input)...is certainly a choice.
#IASSIST2026 session on supporting/training qualitative analysis in the age of gen AI: when folk look for quick solutions promised by AI features, they miss the principles grounding qual work in the first place. An example of the central tension w/AI adoption in higher ed. (abstract links next)
Doyle has #MNUFC falling in POWAH more than any other team going into the break. The Loons aren't racing for the Spoon, but vibes aren't great, results have been poor, and the dang ball won't go in the net at a consistent rate that suggests an actual problem rather than bad luck.
Um, who's going to tell them? So many Diego Luna #USMNT ad buys pre-world cup for him not to make the team. 😬
#MNUFC failed to score at home, again, despite magic from James Rodriguez. Only the 4 bottom teams have scored fewer goals. Only 2 teams spend less on their DPs than the Loons, and only 5 spend less on attackers. The Loons also have the most cap space in the league and are near the top of GAM.
Lastly, #MNUFC is in the lower-middle of the pack when we look at median salary spend. No where near as dire as Sporting KC, but lagging far behind their aspiring "peer" clubs in the West: Seattle, Portland, Austin, whose medians are just under double the Loons'.
#MNUFC is notably falling behind on the share of their roster making $500k or more (others have noted the Loons' roster efficiency), but the team has only 11 players above that cut-off point, while a team like LAFC has 20.
As seen on the bad place (and Reddit): James Rodriguez to retire after World Cup and has told #MNUFC. "Major signing", they said. "Club option", they said. Here's to hoping we see some magic in the two home games this week.