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Deadspin | Improving Minnesota United aim to snag win at Crew  Apr 28, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA;  Minnesota United FC goalkeeper Drake Callender (12) kicks the ball back into play during the second half against the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images   Despite a pair of losses, Minnesota United coach Cameron Knowles is optimistic about grabbing a historic win at the Columbus Crew on Saturday.  Minnesota United seek their first win in Columbus since joining the league in 2017, but due to quirks in the schedule they have played there only twice — losses in 2018 and 2020 — and have not played in the Crew’s current stadium since it opened in 2021.  The Loons (5-3-2, 17 points) had a four-match MLS winning streak snapped in a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC on April 25, followed by a 4-2 defeat in the U.S. Open Cup at San Jose on Tuesday despite leading the Earthquakes 2-1 in the second half.  It so happens San Jose and LAFC are ranked first and fourth, respectively, in the overall league standings and Knowles sees positives despite the setbacks.  “The guys can take a lot a pride in knowing we can compete against any team in this league anywhere,” he said. “We should take so much confidence in our ability to go into some really difficult environments and to play difficult teams and know that we can compete against all of them.”  While the Crew (3-4-3, 12 points) don’t match the quality of San Jose or LAFC in terms of points, they have finally found their footing under first-year coach Henrik Rydstrom with two consecutive wins in MLS play and a 5-1-1 record in their past seven matches in all competitions.   They are getting results despite losing leading scorer Wessam Abou Ali (five goals) to a season-ending knee injury April 12.  Rydstrom is looking for midfielder Hugo Picard to be among those contributing. Picard had two goals apiece in Open Cup wins against lower-tier clubs Richmond and Knoxville this season but has yet to score in 18 career MLS matches.  “What I really like is that he challenges his opponent,” Rydstrom said. “He missed some situations in the beginning (against Knoxville), but he just keeps going. For him, now it’s to take that step into the MLS because he’s so good, he can do it no matter the opponent.”  The match will be a homecoming for Minnesota’s Wil Trapp. The Columbus native played for the Crew from 2013 to 2019 and was the captain his final three seasons.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Improving #Minnesota #United #aim #snag #win #Crew

Deadspin | Improving Minnesota United aim to snag win at Crew
Deadspin | Improving Minnesota United aim to snag win at Crew  Apr 28, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA;  Minnesota United FC goalkeeper Drake Callender (12) kicks the ball back into play during the second half against the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images   Despite a pair of losses, Minnesota United coach Cameron Knowles is optimistic about grabbing a historic win at the Columbus Crew on Saturday.  Minnesota United seek their first win in Columbus since joining the league in 2017, but due to quirks in the schedule they have played there only twice — losses in 2018 and 2020 — and have not played in the Crew’s current stadium since it opened in 2021.  The Loons (5-3-2, 17 points) had a four-match MLS winning streak snapped in a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC on April 25, followed by a 4-2 defeat in the U.S. Open Cup at San Jose on Tuesday despite leading the Earthquakes 2-1 in the second half.  It so happens San Jose and LAFC are ranked first and fourth, respectively, in the overall league standings and Knowles sees positives despite the setbacks.  “The guys can take a lot a pride in knowing we can compete against any team in this league anywhere,” he said. “We should take so much confidence in our ability to go into some really difficult environments and to play difficult teams and know that we can compete against all of them.”  While the Crew (3-4-3, 12 points) don’t match the quality of San Jose or LAFC in terms of points, they have finally found their footing under first-year coach Henrik Rydstrom with two consecutive wins in MLS play and a 5-1-1 record in their past seven matches in all competitions.   They are getting results despite losing leading scorer Wessam Abou Ali (five goals) to a season-ending knee injury April 12.  Rydstrom is looking for midfielder Hugo Picard to be among those contributing. Picard had two goals apiece in Open Cup wins against lower-tier clubs Richmond and Knoxville this season but has yet to score in 18 career MLS matches.  “What I really like is that he challenges his opponent,” Rydstrom said. “He missed some situations in the beginning (against Knoxville), but he just keeps going. For him, now it’s to take that step into the MLS because he’s so good, he can do it no matter the opponent.”  The match will be a homecoming for Minnesota’s Wil Trapp. The Columbus native played for the Crew from 2013 to 2019 and was the captain his final three seasons.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Improving #Minnesota #United #aim #snag #win #CrewApr 28, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Minnesota United FC goalkeeper Drake Callender (12) kicks the ball back into play during the second half against the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Despite a pair of losses, Minnesota United coach Cameron Knowles is optimistic about grabbing a historic win at the Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Minnesota United seek their first win in Columbus since joining the league in 2017, but due to quirks in the schedule they have played there only twice — losses in 2018 and 2020 — and have not played in the Crew’s current stadium since it opened in 2021.

The Loons (5-3-2, 17 points) had a four-match MLS winning streak snapped in a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC on April 25, followed by a 4-2 defeat in the U.S. Open Cup at San Jose on Tuesday despite leading the Earthquakes 2-1 in the second half.

It so happens San Jose and LAFC are ranked first and fourth, respectively, in the overall league standings and Knowles sees positives despite the setbacks.

“The guys can take a lot a pride in knowing we can compete against any team in this league anywhere,” he said. “We should take so much confidence in our ability to go into some really difficult environments and to play difficult teams and know that we can compete against all of them.”


While the Crew (3-4-3, 12 points) don’t match the quality of San Jose or LAFC in terms of points, they have finally found their footing under first-year coach Henrik Rydstrom with two consecutive wins in MLS play and a 5-1-1 record in their past seven matches in all competitions.

They are getting results despite losing leading scorer Wessam Abou Ali (five goals) to a season-ending knee injury April 12.

Rydstrom is looking for midfielder Hugo Picard to be among those contributing. Picard had two goals apiece in Open Cup wins against lower-tier clubs Richmond and Knoxville this season but has yet to score in 18 career MLS matches.

“What I really like is that he challenges his opponent,” Rydstrom said. “He missed some situations in the beginning (against Knoxville), but he just keeps going. For him, now it’s to take that step into the MLS because he’s so good, he can do it no matter the opponent.”

The match will be a homecoming for Minnesota’s Wil Trapp. The Columbus native played for the Crew from 2013 to 2019 and was the captain his final three seasons.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Improving #Minnesota #United #aim #snag #win #Crew

Apr 28, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Minnesota United FC goalkeeper Drake Callender (12) kicks the ball back into play during the second half against the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Despite a pair of losses, Minnesota United coach Cameron Knowles is optimistic about grabbing a historic win at the Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Minnesota United seek their first win in Columbus since joining the league in 2017, but due to quirks in the schedule they have played there only twice — losses in 2018 and 2020 — and have not played in the Crew’s current stadium since it opened in 2021.

The Loons (5-3-2, 17 points) had a four-match MLS winning streak snapped in a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC on April 25, followed by a 4-2 defeat in the U.S. Open Cup at San Jose on Tuesday despite leading the Earthquakes 2-1 in the second half.

It so happens San Jose and LAFC are ranked first and fourth, respectively, in the overall league standings and Knowles sees positives despite the setbacks.

“The guys can take a lot a pride in knowing we can compete against any team in this league anywhere,” he said. “We should take so much confidence in our ability to go into some really difficult environments and to play difficult teams and know that we can compete against all of them.”

While the Crew (3-4-3, 12 points) don’t match the quality of San Jose or LAFC in terms of points, they have finally found their footing under first-year coach Henrik Rydstrom with two consecutive wins in MLS play and a 5-1-1 record in their past seven matches in all competitions.

They are getting results despite losing leading scorer Wessam Abou Ali (five goals) to a season-ending knee injury April 12.

Rydstrom is looking for midfielder Hugo Picard to be among those contributing. Picard had two goals apiece in Open Cup wins against lower-tier clubs Richmond and Knoxville this season but has yet to score in 18 career MLS matches.

“What I really like is that he challenges his opponent,” Rydstrom said. “He missed some situations in the beginning (against Knoxville), but he just keeps going. For him, now it’s to take that step into the MLS because he’s so good, he can do it no matter the opponent.”

The match will be a homecoming for Minnesota’s Wil Trapp. The Columbus native played for the Crew from 2013 to 2019 and was the captain his final three seasons.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Improving #Minnesota #United #aim #snag #win #Crew

“Hammond, Indiana. Okay. If you’ve been to Soldier Field and you’ve been on the lakefront and you are somebody that is a romantic like myself, that’s where football should be played, on the lakefront right in front of those giant skyscrapers, right next to that big, beautiful park with the best coach in football, with one of the best young quarterback. But that ain’t happening. Grow up, Peter Pan. I’m talking to myself. Grow up, Peter Pan.”

“That ain’t happening. Okay. Arlington Heights. One of the most state-of-the-art beautiful property in the north suburbs. Arlington Heights. I don’t know if you’ve ever been there, but they have a racetrack that they demolished there that I said, ‘Oh, it’s a no-brainer. They would never knock down something of such historical significance to Chicago.‘ Well, it didn’t work. Hammond, Indiana is happening. Okay, now let’s let’s not play doom and gloom. Let’s do a little mental health check in and say, what are the positives here? The positives are it’s closer to downtown. It’s closer to downtown than Arlington Heights would be. It’s in fact 30 minutes closer to downtown than where the Bears training facility is on the north side in Lake Forest where I lived. You get the unique opportunity. It’s almost like I’m going to use the phrase, I don’t fully understand it, but I’m going to use the phrase manifest destiny. Okay? Remember when people were just moving west and they’re like, I’m going to put a flag down here.”

“This looks like a nice little hill. This is my hill. I’m going to call it Johnny’s Hill. You know, like I think about all the it’s the American dream. Well, you know what? It didn’t work out in Chicago. So, just follow that coast south down to Hammond, Indiana. And I can promise you this, if they do it the right way, like a number of these teams have done, you get the opportunity to have a state-of-the-art venue for anything that you want. You get the opportunity to own your stadium and the land around it outright. You get to make it exactly how you want to make it. And I’ve heard a lot of things about Hammond, Indiana. More often than not, not good things. But I can guarantee you this. There are people, there are kids, there are generations of Bears fans that are down there that are so excited to welcome you and show you that area with open arms and you get to make it yours.”

“Now, I know that’s a slap in the face to a lot of people, including myself, but it’s time to get to the next level. And they can do that there. Winning to me, what does success look like to me? It looks like a quarterback that’s on schedule in first and second down and continues to do what he does on third down and in the fourth quarter. I think building a defense that can stop the run and rush the passer on third down and got to have it rush downs. That would be great. I think everything is moving in the right direction and I think this Hammond, Indiana thing is a unique opportunity for the Bears to really take the next step.”

“I remember when St. Louis moved to LA, and granted, it was a lot more miles for that move. They become a serious contender overnight and the Bears already are a serious contender. So imagine what happens if you pump some caffeine into that.”

#Kyle #Long #optimistic #Bears #moving #Hammond #Indiana">Kyle Long is trying to be optimistic about the Bears maybe moving to Hammond, Indiana  “Hammond, Indiana. Okay. If you’ve been to Soldier Field and you’ve been on the lakefront and you are somebody that is a romantic like myself, that’s where football should be played, on the lakefront right in front of those giant skyscrapers, right next to that big, beautiful park with the best coach in football, with one of the best young quarterback. But that ain’t happening. Grow up, Peter Pan. I’m talking to myself. Grow up, Peter Pan.”“That ain’t happening. Okay. Arlington Heights. One of the most state-of-the-art beautiful property in the north suburbs. Arlington Heights. I don’t know if you’ve ever been there, but they have a racetrack that they demolished there that I said, ‘Oh, it’s a no-brainer. They would never knock down something of such historical significance to Chicago.‘ Well, it didn’t work. Hammond, Indiana is happening. Okay, now let’s let’s not play doom and gloom. Let’s do a little mental health check in and say, what are the positives here? The positives are it’s closer to downtown. It’s closer to downtown than Arlington Heights would be. It’s in fact 30 minutes closer to downtown than where the Bears training facility is on the north side in Lake Forest where I lived. You get the unique opportunity. It’s almost like I’m going to use the phrase, I don’t fully understand it, but I’m going to use the phrase manifest destiny. Okay? Remember when people were just moving west and they’re like, I’m going to put a flag down here.”“This looks like a nice little hill. This is my hill. I’m going to call it Johnny’s Hill. You know, like I think about all the it’s the American dream. Well, you know what? It didn’t work out in Chicago. So, just follow that coast south down to Hammond, Indiana. And I can promise you this, if they do it the right way, like a number of these teams have done, you get the opportunity to have a state-of-the-art venue for anything that you want. You get the opportunity to own your stadium and the land around it outright. You get to make it exactly how you want to make it. And I’ve heard a lot of things about Hammond, Indiana. More often than not, not good things. But I can guarantee you this. There are people, there are kids, there are generations of Bears fans that are down there that are so excited to welcome you and show you that area with open arms and you get to make it yours.”“Now, I know that’s a slap in the face to a lot of people, including myself, but it’s time to get to the next level. And they can do that there. Winning to me, what does success look like to me? It looks like a quarterback that’s on schedule in first and second down and continues to do what he does on third down and in the fourth quarter. I think building a defense that can stop the run and rush the passer on third down and got to have it rush downs. That would be great. I think everything is moving in the right direction and I think this Hammond, Indiana thing is a unique opportunity for the Bears to really take the next step.”“I remember when St. Louis moved to LA, and granted, it was a lot more miles for that move. They become a serious contender overnight and the Bears already are a serious contender. So imagine what happens if you pump some caffeine into that.”  #Kyle #Long #optimistic #Bears #moving #Hammond #Indiana

Lionel Messi found the net with his third touch in the FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match between Argentina and Iceland in Alabama, USA on Tuesday.

Messi marked his return from a muscle strain by scoring from the penalty spot in the 71st minute, just seconds after coming off the bench. The Argentine sent fans into raptures with an emphatic finish from 12 yards.

It was Messi’s 911th career goal for club and country and 117th goal for Argentina and made him the oldest scorer in the country’s football history.

Messi did not play in Argentina’s friendly win over Honduras on Saturday.

Published on Jun 10, 2026

#WATCH #Lionel #Messi #scores #Argentina #Iceland #FIFA #World #Cup #warmup #match">WATCH: Lionel Messi scores in Argentina vs Iceland FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match  Lionel Messi found the net with his third touch in the FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match between Argentina and Iceland in Alabama, USA on Tuesday.Messi marked his return from a muscle strain by scoring from the penalty spot in the 71st minute, just seconds after coming off the bench. The Argentine sent fans into raptures with an emphatic finish from 12 yards.pic.twitter.com/Y5URIeyx53— Messi World (@MessiWorld101) June 10, 2026It was Messi’s 911th career goal for club and country and 117th goal for Argentina and made him the oldest scorer in the country’s football history.Messi did not play in Argentina’s friendly win over Honduras on Saturday.Published on Jun 10, 2026  #WATCH #Lionel #Messi #scores #Argentina #Iceland #FIFA #World #Cup #warmup #match

It was Messi’s 911th career goal for club and country and 117th goal for Argentina and made him the oldest scorer in the country’s football history.

Messi did not play in Argentina’s friendly win over Honduras on Saturday.

Published on Jun 10, 2026

#WATCH #Lionel #Messi #scores #Argentina #Iceland #FIFA #World #Cup #warmup #match">WATCH: Lionel Messi scores in Argentina vs Iceland FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match

Lionel Messi found the net with his third touch in the FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match between Argentina and Iceland in Alabama, USA on Tuesday.

Messi marked his return from a muscle strain by scoring from the penalty spot in the 71st minute, just seconds after coming off the bench. The Argentine sent fans into raptures with an emphatic finish from 12 yards.

It was Messi’s 911th career goal for club and country and 117th goal for Argentina and made him the oldest scorer in the country’s football history.

Messi did not play in Argentina’s friendly win over Honduras on Saturday.

Published on Jun 10, 2026

#WATCH #Lionel #Messi #scores #Argentina #Iceland #FIFA #World #Cup #warmup #match

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