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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

@futi.live giving this #MNUFC miss 0.9 xG. That's really going to skew how close this game looks to have been.

screen shot of Futu's Expected Goals race plot showing a huge jump in MNUFC's xG at Malone's miss.

Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Great stuff here, and Jeff nails my thoughts at the end. France weren't at their best, but Spain didn't give them an opportunity to find their footing.

Spain are designed to make opponents suffer if they aren’t at their best. It’s a model that can work against any team in international football. Even – and, given three semi-finals’ worth of evidence, especially – mighty France.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

I think that's about right. Those plots along with this from @mlsstat.bsky.social tells more story. Yes, #MNUFC get the ball into dangerous areas, but we do not create many great or good shots.

@MLSstat shot map of the LAFC v MNUFC match. MNUFC has a lot of "Poor" shots and few "Good" or better shots

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Really great essay. This section really hit me. I did this exact thing.

He is going to go through System Settings, panel by panel, and adjust everything he can adjust just to see how he likes it. He is going to make a folder called “Projects” with nothing in it. He is going to download Blender because someone on Reddit said it was free, and then stare at the interface for forty-five minutes.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

I think this is generous from Doyle regarding #MNUFC, but not too far off. I think the Loons should see Nashville as the goal of where their evolution should take them. Even if that takes them more than a season to get there.

The Loons, to their credit, were not overwhelmed. It was more just a matter of being outplayed by one of the region's best teams.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

I really appreciate @joeclowery.bsky.social declaring me, personally, a winner this week. Triantis is on a pretty long contract (U22), and hopefully that helps #MNUFC hold onto him through next year's sprint season

*Winner: Nectarios Triantis stockholders*
Let me just get this out there before it becomes a wildly popular take: Minnesota United central midfielder Nectarios Triantis is a Premier League-level player right now. He doesn’t need more seasoning to become one — he’s ready today and may well head that way in the summer window.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

I can't explain it but the most important thing in the POWER Rankings, is that #MNUFC has more POWER than RSL, Colorado, and Austin. Central to my Loons fandom.

13. Minnesota United (⬆️ 6): Looked good against the ball and good with it (which I really, really enjoyed). Kelvin Yeboah looks reborn, and Joaquín Pereyra has been good fun. Four points from these two games is a very credible start.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

This is what has me feeling nervous about #MNUFC defensively. Last season anytime we played a back 4 we looked very vulnerable. I'm hoping the defensive formation is more phase of play dependent than just a straight up flat 4.

The Loons went 1-1-1 across three preseason matches, and in those friendlies, Knowles showed he favors a four-man back line instead of the five Ramsay used during his two seasons.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

This is the first time I've seen Triantis' g+ radar. I'm not sure you could ask much more from a 6/8 (maybe better passing).

ASA goals added (g+) radar for Triantis.
+0.08 overall with the biggest contributor being interrupting at +0.06

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

If it's going to work for #MNUFC, this is how it would look. I think we might see a lot of Markanich runs in behind too. Glad this preview talks about Momo. I think more time in the squad could help him get up to MLS speed of play.

But you can talk yourself into it. Star midfielder Joaquin Pereyra, James, Fitz, Chancalay all rotating in and out of the team, passing through ball after through ball to a reinvigorated Kelvin Yeboah, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, and Mamadou Dieng. This is a team built on smart recruitment, with a league leading $7.3M in GAM. New coach, somewhat more progressive identity, keep the set piece juice. It’s plausible. Maybe they’ll trade all that GAM for Messi.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Doyle picking Yeboah as comeback player of the year is great news! I think #MNUFC will need him to be at that level to have a successful year. If Yeboah can do it, Doyle will have to move the Loons higher than 23 on the POWER rankings.

My pick: Kelvin Yeboah didn't miss a ton of games outright for the Loons, but he did play hurt most of 2025. For a team that played rugby.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

This is good news for Europe and for decarbonization of construction materials globally. Some States (MN, WA) have similar laws already. A great thing about American made steel is almost all of it is made in an EAF and with a significant portion of recycled steel.

Under the draft proposals, steel will be classified according to the emissions generated during its manufacture, with the exact thresholds to be laid out a later date. Governments will be required to ensure that 25% of steel used under public procurement and subsidy programs is low-carbon. ==The use of scrap steel and electric arc furnaces,== or green hydrogen are seen as key decarbonization technologies for the sector.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

I was thinking about this one early today... I'd go with the AISC Steel Manual. In college we called it the steel bible. It's heavy and it looks the part.

Picture of the 16th Edition of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Manual. A gold book with black text and line drawings of steel structures.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

A great example is the documentary WITCHES OF THE ORIENT, about the World Champion Japanese women's volleyball team. Interesting movie with great old sports film and post war Japan b-roll. Would have been hard to find without the library!

Movie poster for WITCHES OF THE ORIENT. Featuring real volleyball players and an animated one.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

#MNUFC also needed to cut out these turnovers. We'd build out wide (it looked intentional, not just out of necessity) but then Bongi or Harvey would be isolated, and have to take on a defender in our own half.

SDFC defensive actions map with upper left actions circled.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Andy nails my biggest concern for #MNUFC tonight:

Key to the game: In last year’s West semifinal against L.A. Galaxy, the Loons fell behind early; they need to keep this goal-less early — or, ideally, score one of their own. *Highlighted* If high-flying San Diego scores early, Minnesota will have to chase an open-play goal and that is far from their strength. That would invite a blowout. *Highlighted*

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

This is the biggest lesson I hope Khaled El-Ahmad learns this season. MLS is a selling league, and we need to have a back up plan so we don't have to take a big step back when a sale inevitably happens.

And that’s on Khaled El-Ahmad. Overall, I think he’s done a fantastic job: Romero, Pereyra, and Nectar are great signings and the rest have been decent (except perhaps Yeboah, but I don’t think he’s been a bomb). But as much as I can say, “what can you do?” about Tani leaving the club, there is an actual answer to that question: *highlighted* you can prepare for your best player to be poached. *highlighted*

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Great tifo tonight, and a good win from #MNUFC! Let's do it again in Seattle!

The Wonder Wall with a tifo of a loon with "YOU BETCHA" written in red below it.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Here's my conferences: West is short a team. Not sure I should split up Nashville and ATL.

Map of the US with all 30 MLS team logos. Red lines are drawn over the top to divide the teams into 3 conferences.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

Reminds me of one of my favorite bits from run of play (@brianphillips.bsky.social) comparing basketball to soccer:

One takes something so difficult that a practiced adult can’t do it reliably and makes it so easy that we see it done dozens of times, acrobatically, in a game. The other takes something so simple that my two-year-old niece can do it and makes it so hard that seeing it done once in a match is a cause for wild celebration.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

This is an interesting article about the extreme application of a trend across an entire league. Also contains a good description of a way I enjoy thinking about soccer:

This, too, seems obvious. Every open play goal is a small miracle -- each one requires so much technical and physical and mental precision from the team in possession. They're not running a play; they're creating a solution on the fly, and they have to do it without using their hands. The defense doesn't know what the attackers are doing, but the attackers also don't know what the other attackers are doing.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

You could see all this in the 2nd half against the Rapids. #MNUFC go to 4 in the back and immediately look more dangerous and take control of the game. But after KDP and Yapi sub on for the Rapids, the weaknesses of the formation start to show. Especially KDP attacking Diaz at RB.

g+ GameFlow chart from ASA, showing MNUFC taking control of the game in the first 30 minutes after half time.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Glad #MNUFC have an easy schedule heading to the playoffs. Although the Loons earlier results against the Galaxy and SKC left a lot to be desired. Hopefully they can break out their funk.

12. Minnesota United: Sure looks like the air went out of them with that US Open Cup semis loss. The good news: their final two games are home vs. Sporting KC and at the Galaxy. Couldn’t ask for a much softer landing.

Scores from the Loons games against Galaxy and SKC from earlier this season. Both scores are tied.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

And this is a great quote about Boxall. I'm not surprised he's always trying to bend the rules.

“He’s always about it, always leading, always giving some energy — and always trying to figure out the game as well,” he said. “Like if there’s a way he can cheat the game — he’s always one that loves it.”

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Fun article from Jon! I always assume field players may not be great at throwing a ball. #MNUFC

It can be confirmed that some of the Loons, wizards with the ball at their feet, are, let’s say, less accurate when attempting to wing a dodgeball at their opponents. “It’s a steep learning curve with that,” Bell said.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Disappointed #MNUFC lost tonight, but it was a beautiful night for soccer. And the @mnwonderwall.bsky.social was in great form all night!

Photo of the Wonder Wall at Allianz field just before kickoff.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

Most importantly, he is the Aussie Rodri!!! #MNUFC

YouTube thumbnail titled "Nectar Triantis The Aussie Rodri Europe Needs to ..."

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

This is a very cool technology, and it's good to see it being noticed and invested in, but I'm worried Sublime is shooting themselves in the foot, because Microsoft gets all the carbon benefits. (1/x)

If deals like the one the company signed with Sublime proliferate, the clean cement industry will need to prove that the certificates it is offering are verifiable and avoid carbon emissions that manufacturers would have generated otherwise, according to a 2024 report on structuring demand for lower-carbon materials co-published by RMI and Microsoft. *highlighted* That includes ensuring that the products’ environmental benefits aren’t double-counted, or claimed by multiple entities as a reduction on their emissions ledger. *highlighted*

For this deal with Microsoft, *highlighted* other customers who buy Sublime’s cement won’t be able to lay claim to its environmental benefits *highlighted*, Ellis said.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Not gonna lie, @joeclowery.bsky.social had me in the first half. Why's he got to do them ravioli boys like that?

Winner: St. Louis City
…because no one is laughing at them.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Great coverage from Jon and I expect Gressel to be a great signing for #MNUFC. But I don't want to remember this game any more.

And it’s not like he hasn’t experienced Minnesota’s weather before. Gressel’s first MLS assist came in one of the most infamous losses in Loons history — Atlanta’s 6-1 snow-bowl drubbing of Minnesota in the Loons’ first home game in MLS.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

I've been thinking about posting this exact thought about Pereyra. I'm now a big fan. #MNUFC

I’d been critical of the Argentine midfielder since he arrived from his native top flight last summer, but Pereyra has been excellent over the last month. Between set piece service and open play distribution from his left-sided No. 8 spot, the 26-year-old ranks in the 99th percentile among his positional peers in non-penalty xG + xAG per 90 minutes.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

Had a real remember that guy moment reading @andygreder.bsky.social's #MNUFC vs NYCFC preview. www.twincities.com/2025/04/04/m...

Recent matchups: The Loons haven’t played the Pigeons since 2023, a 2-0 Minnesota win at Citi Field. Former players Jan Gregus and Mender Garcia (name highlighted) scored for United.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

I've just assumed it's bad chemistry, that would get better (have either played in a two striker system before?). But it would be interesting to see Ramsay questioned about it. #MNUFC

I think it’s interesting that the Loons are playing with two strikers, but rarely do the strikers interact. Rarely, for example, do you see a ball put forward to Tani and then he releases Yeboah (and vice versa). Instead, each tends to operate in his own vertical silo. It happens so much that we have to assume it’s intentional. That each striker has their own set of geometrical partners: Yeboah with Rosales/Pereyra and Tani with Bongi/Lod.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

This is well described by Wes, and the overlapping CB is one of my favorite #MNUFC tactical wrinkles. In the build up to the first goal I really like that Bongi bounces the ball off Tani back to Trapp who then plays wide to Diaz. This buys Bongi and Tani time to get 3 attackers in the box.

I’ve pointed it out with Harvey before, but this is one of the hallmarks of Ramsay’s tactics: the right CB will make a marauding run and either allow Bongi to overload the center with a run or they’ll be the late run into the box themselves. It’s really worth watching the game and training your eye on that Diaz/Harvey role for a little while to see what and how they’re doing.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Matt points out a big concern of mine here. #MNUFC is capable of playing nicer soccer (they showed it the last 30 minutes after Shashoua came on), and we will need to start showing more of it. Otherwise, that high variance style might keep biting them, especially against better teams.

They’re becoming a frustrating team to watch because I think they’re capable of playing very good soccer, but too often default into a deep shell. And I think that’ll become less effective – and more prone to variance-related goals – as teams get sharper on the ball (which starts to happen every year around this time).

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

I think this is an interesting rhetorical way to describe what possession can mean. The difference between control and affect provides some nice nuance.

"[Possession] is important,” Sorensen said over the offseason. “When you have the ball, you can control the game. When you don’t have the ball, you can affect the game, but you cannot control what’s going to happen…if we want to be a team that should end up in the top, we have to play as a team that also is the top team. We have to be in more control of the game than our opponents.”

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Nice summary by Jon on last night's #MNUFC game. This quote has me wondering what it means for the players on the field to absorb the subs.

"There is not one part of me that puts that entirely on the players, nor individually on the players that came on,” Ramsay said. “It was a combination of my decision-making, our decision-making, the way in which the players on the pitch absorbed the subs, and of course the way in which they performed as they came on. We as a collective have to look at ourselves in a really harsh way there, because there’s almost an inexplicable drop-off.”

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Seems like good news for #MNUFC. I have no idea what the plan is, but I'm looking for the Pereyra buy down and a new DP (maybe a 6?) this summer.

Minnesota United

Available GAM: $3,897,595

Minnesota United are just trending in the positive direction once again. The way they’ve managed their cap situation has been excellent and they’ve built out a solid team. Kelvin Yeboah seems like a hit and the rest of the team has had solid outings so far, to finish 2024 and to start 2025. Joaquin Pereyra is eligible to be bought down from his DP spot, and with all their GAM, they can potentially bring in players that can elevate them come the summer of 2025. Or, they can roll over this money and come in with a bigger war chest come 2026.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

It's also nice to see a profile of Hoyeon's skills. Hadn't seen much before. But if he can do that kind of ball progression for the Loons he'll be a fantastic signing.

Hoyeon Jung, CM: Named the K League’s Young Player of the Year in 2023, Jung adds dynamism to Minnesota United’s midfield group. The 24-year-old is right footed, can carry the ball through midfield, is comfortable evading the first pressing defender, and debuted for South Korea last March in a World Cup qualifier.

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Tom Lawton @startwitheasy.bsky.social · 03/11/2024

Had a great time at the #MNUFC game last night. Pulled off another great shootout win.

The field at Allianz immediately before kickoff. #MNUFC vs RSL

The Wonderwall after the #MNUFC vs RSL playoff game at Allianz. Dayne St. Claire is on the jumbotron and signs say "Loons Win".

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