Minnesota

Match Recap | LA’s Score At The Death Extends Loons’ Pain | Minnesota United FC

Published

1 year ago

July 8, 2024

Match Recap | LA’s Score At The Death Extends Loons’ Pain | Minnesota United FC

Regardless of who would be featured in the Minnesota United starting XI tonight, Coach Eric Ramsey and company certainly understood the assignment on Sunday evening in Carson, California:

The Loons would step onto the pitch at Dignity Health Sports Park in an announced 4-4-2 that played more like a 5-2-3, with Robin Lod, Bongi Hlongwane, and Sang Bin Jeong spearheading a Loons’ attack hoping to find space to hit the jets with their killer speed—a task certainly easier said than done against an LA Galaxy side that’s put in some of its best performances of the season as of late, the exception being their 2-1 loss to LAFC at the Rose Bowl on the Fourth of July.

While lineup structure isn’t a new look for the Loons this season, tonight’s plan was to keep it especially compact in hopes of cutting off any midfield channels for LA’s Riqui Puig to operate and distribute the ball. That approach was effective until the 25th minute, when, Puig, a player that’s always dangerous with the ball at his feet, would hit Miki Yamane streaking down the right flank, to set up Gabriel Pec for a tap-in. 1-0, LA.

The Loons would attempt to bring the score even in short order, playing through a quick counter-attack just a few minutes later. The push up the middle would open opportunities for the Loons and looked to materialize in leveling the scoreline. It would be some fancy footwork from Sang Bin Jeong near the 18-yard line who was able to catch the Galaxy’s backs off-balance for the quick pass to Hlongwane, with the beauty of a cross to mid Alejandro Bran for the score…or so we thought. Ultimately, VAR would reveal Bongi just a hair offside on the Sang Bin pass, thwarting the Loons’ hopes of finding the first-half equalizer. Adding insult to literal injury, defender D.J. Taylor’s night would end early due to an apparent leg injury, which meant Caden Clark would be called to duty earlier than expected.

The Loons would up their aggression in the early minutes of the second half, as the attack would try to pounce on the Galaxy’s defense early on, with Boxy and the boys on the backline even pressing up field to, hopefully, force the issue.

It would be a healthy Teemu Pukki in his return to the pitch Sunday in Carson that would make his presence felt for the Black and Blue after missing several weeks due to a knee injury. The most impactful moment of the fine Finn’s return would come in the 73rd minute, when he struck a beauty from distance to finally notch the equalizer the Loons had worked for with their second-half surge.

In the closing minutes, Carlos Harvey would return to the lineup and look strong in his short time on the pitch, as he would key on the ever-dangerous Puig and limit his chances of breaking the draw. Franco Fragapane would also enter into the match, subbing for Bongi along with Harvey in the 77th minute. And, Fragapane would nearly put the boys ahead in the 85th minute with his strong, line-drive shot that LA keeper John McCarthy was able to get a finger on and redirect out of play.

But, at the death, MNUFC’s hope of putting a stop to their incredibly tough 6-game stretch would be put to bed thanks to more mastery from Puig and Pec, as Puig’s beautiful ball set up Mauricio Cuevas, who sliced through the box before handing it off to Gabriel Pec for the easy tap-in for the brace. The Loons missed a golden opportunity in the 92nd minute right at the doorstep of the Galaxy’s box, as a back-and-forth between Lod and Fragapane would prove to be a tap too many, and LA would clear the ball safely out of bounds.

This match wouldn’t come without some positives, with Bongi continuing to rise to the occasion, using his speed and physicality to pose a scoring threat to the opposition tonight and over the past few weeks. In only his second-ever MLS start, Loons’ keeper Alec Smir would flash his potential throughout the match, highlighted by a beautiful diving save in the 70th minute. The scores surrendered were tough to stop, with the LA attack being more of the reason for deciding goals than any lapse by Smir. And, of course, seeing Teemu Pukki find the net after his early-season frustrations was a welcome sight to see.

But, in the end, it would be a great effort spoiled for a Minnesota United team that keeps hoping that great efforts like tonight don’t go unrewarded any longer. They will do their best to hit the brakes on their skid next Saturday against the Dynamo down in Houston.

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Minnesota

Inver Grove Heights chosen as official location of Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Inver Grove Heights chosen as official location of Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame

The future location of the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame (MNHHOF) will be in the city of Inver Grove Heights.

In the announcement made on Wednesday, the MNHHOF said the new site will be a 120,000-plus-square-foot, multi-purpose facility located adjacent to Interstate 494 and just east of Vikings Lakes and the Minnesota Vikings training complex.

“Since announcing this legacy project in August, the outpouring of support from players past and present, Minnesota-based companies, and hockey fans statewide has been overwhelming,” said MNHHOF CEO Natalie Darwitz. “We’re truly excited to build our permanent home in Inver Grove Heights, honoring the past and inspiring the future of Minnesota hockey.”

The current plans for the facility are to build it on a 40-acre section of land, featuring an ice rink, a 20,000-square-foot performance venue, a 30,000-square-foot museum, a hockey-themed restaurant and taproom and multiple event and community spaces.

“The City is thrilled that the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame has selected Inver Grove Heights as its home, and we look forward to welcoming them to our community,” said Inver Grove Heights Mayor Brenda Dietrich. “The site is in our Northwest Area, which has long been envisioned for major development, and the Hall of Fame offers the opportunity for new amenities and attractions that will benefit Inver Grove Heights for years to come.”

MNHHOF plans to break ground in 2026, with a planned opening in late 2028.

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Minnesota

KSTP/SurveyUSA poll results: Trump, Walz both below 50% approval in Minnesota

Published

19 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

KSTP/SurveyUSA poll results: Trump, Walz both below 50% approval in Minnesota

The political feud between President Donald Trump and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is frequently documented.

While both try to score political points with their criticism of each other, neither has much in the way of bragging rights when it comes to approval ratings in Minnesota.

According to our exclusive KSTP/SurveyUSA poll, the president has a 42% approval rating in Minnesota with 55% disapproval. That 13-point difference is six points worse than our last survey three months ago.

Trump retains the approval of 89% of Republicans but just 35% of independents.

“Trump is always running a bit below the national average in job approval in Minnesota and that is the case here,” says Carleton College political analyst Steven Schier. However, the newest Associated Press/Reuters poll showed the president with a 39% approval rating and 59% disapproval, slightly better than his Minnesota results.

The president’s approval is bogged down by a 43% approval of his handling of the economy.

Gov. Walz doesn’t fare much better in our survey. For the second survey in a row, Walz is at 48% approval and 48% disapproval. Those ratings are his lowest in the 20 times we’ve surveyed his approval in the past four years. He’s seeking an unprecedented third four-year term as governor of Minnesota.

“Gov. Walz’s approval puts him in sort of a flashing yellow light zone,” says Schier. “There’s some danger ahead. He’s below 50% approval.”

The Walz approval numbers are weighed down by just 14% who say he’s done enough to stop state government fraud.

Our survey included 35% Democrats, 31% Republicans and 29% independents.

SurveyUSA interviewed 650 adults from the state of Minnesota 12/09/25 through 12/12/25. Of the adults, 578 were identified as being registered to vote and were asked the questions which follow. This research was conducted online, using nonprobability sample of online adult panelists chosen randomly by Cint USA. The combined pool of survey respondents was weighted to US Census ACS targets for gender, age, race, education, and home ownership.

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Minnesota

Red Lake Nation signs cannabis cooperative agreement with state of Minnesota

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Red Lake Nation signs cannabis cooperative agreement with state of Minnesota

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management and

Gov. Tim Walz

recently announced the signing of a cannabis cooperative agreement with

Red Lake Nation.

According to a release, the agreement outlines how the state of Minnesota and Red Lake Nation will protect the public health, safety and well-being of all Minnesotans regarding adult-use cannabis and supports Red Lake Nation’s tribal sovereignty, cultural identity and heritage.

“This partnership opens a new outlet for state-licensed cannabis businesses to access and sell legal cannabis and honors the independence of the members of the Red Lake Band,” OCM Executive Director Eric Taubel said in the release. “We look forward to their cooperation in bringing more cannabis supply to the state and seeing their cannabis operations develop and thrive while respecting the Red Lake Band’s autonomy.” 

In Minnesota’s cannabis law, the legislature directed Walz to negotiate intergovernmental agreements with tribal nations sharing territory with Minnesota to strengthen public health and safety, secure an equitable and well-regulated cannabis market, and provide financial benefits to both the state and tribal nations.

Red Lake’s NativeCare dispensary

was the first in the state to sell legal, adult-use cannabis after the law legalizing cannabis took effect in August 2023. With this agreement in place, Red Lake is able to collaborate with state-licensed cannabis businesses and create partnerships.

“Our goal from the beginning has been to produce the highest quality cannabis products that are free of all toxins and impurities. Consistent testing has verified that we have reached our goal,” Red Lake Nation Chair Darrell Seki Sr. said in the release. “Now that our cooperative agreement with the state has been finalized, we are looking forward to sharing our top-shelf products with the Minnesota market.”

Compact negotiations continue between the state and tribal nations sharing territory with the state of Minnesota. To date, the state has signed compacts with White Earth Nation, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Prairie Island Indian Community, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

The state expects to announce additional tribal-state cannabis agreements soon.  

Copies of signed, executed tribal-state cannabis compacts and cooperative agreements can be found on

OCM’s website.

Our newsroom sometimes reports stories under the byline “Pioneer Staff Report.” This byline is used when reporters rewrite basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as an email or press release that requires little or no reporting.

Other times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.

For questions about a staff report, call (218) 333-9796 or email news@bemidjipioneer.com.

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