Minnesota
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.
The No. 11 USC Trojans lost to Minnesota 24-17 on Saturday, Oct. 5. It’s hard to win games on the road in conference play.
The Golden Gophers scored in the final minute on a fourth down quarterback sneak with Max Brosmer. The officials initially ruled Brosmer short of the end zone, giving the Trojans the ball in a tie game. However, the play was reviewed and changed to a touchdown.
After the game, a reporter asked Trojans defensive end Jamil Muhammad if he thought Minnesota reached the goal line on the Gopher’s last touchdown.
“Don’t ask him that. Next question,” said USC coach Lincoln Riley before Muhammad could respond. “Who cares what he says on that? Like what, a player’s opinion? Let’s ask a more professional question.”
The Trojans once again found themselves in a dogfight on the road in the first half. The total yardage, first downs gained, and turnover battle were virtually deadlocked at the half. The score was10-10 thanks to a career-long 54-yard field goal from kicker Michael Lantz just before intermission.
The Trojans came into the game with a plus-32 second-half scoring margin and experience in close-ball games. They leaned heavily on that muscle memory to grind out a few hard-fought drives to take control of the game with a great scoring drive and two early defensive stops that had Minnesota on the ropes.
An early fourth-quarter near sack strip flew into the air and turned into a Miller Moss interception. That was a massive turning point because the Trojans had a 17-10 lead and were driving in Golden Gopher territory with a chance to essentially put the ball game away. It may sound like a broken record at this point, but it’s the truth, the same issues that have been on tape for the Trojans cost them a ball game.
The Golden Gophers reeled off 14 consecutive points, concluding with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that left the Trojans less than a minute to go in the game. At 24-17, USC’s only option was a touchdown. While quarterback Miller Moss got the Trojans in striking distance, it wasn’t quite enough as Moss was intercepted while taking a shot to the end zone.
Minnesota beat the USC Trojans for the first time since 1955.
The biggest issue with the offense, and honestly the team, is the trouble the Trojans have protecting quarterback Miller Moss. He came into the game as the most-hit and pressured quarterback in the Big Ten and the most-hit quarterback in the country. The Trojans didn’t fair much better today in that aspect.
The quick passing game and Moss’ decisiveness provided relief on some passing attempts, but when USC had to truly go five-step dropback it wasn’t pretty.
Moss notably added muscle mass and weight going into this season and he’s needed it. The Trojans must find a way to keep Moss upright. Their season ultimately depends on it.
As for the biggest red flag on the defense? Their inability to hold the line in the biggest moments of the game. The defense, much like the Michigan game, was superb up until the last stand. Minnesota ran for 193 yards, most of which came on the final two possessions. The Big Ten trenches discourse has surrounded the Trojans, but they’ve mostly held up.
The time of possession was virtually even so being worn down isn’t an excuse. The Trojans held the Gophers to 2/8 on 3rd downs, but the Gophers converted twice on 4th down, one being the go-ahead touchdown. Sometimes, the scheme isn’t the issue. The Trojans don’t have an issue there defensively. In this case, USC needs their playmakers to step up in the biggest moments. They’ve done it before, they must do it more.
Lincoln Riley-led teams have been in this situation multiple times. A lead, an offense that’s humming, and a decision to make: run the ball and control the clock or pass. On the drive that ultimately flipped momentum with the interception, the Trojans dropped back on third and four from the Minnesota 35.
Sounds fairly normal to throw there, right? Not so fast. The Trojans averaged 6.2 yards per carry and held a seven-point lead. At that point, the worst-case scenario if they failed to convert was a short fourth down attempt or a field goal attempt to potentially go up 10 points with 10 minutes remaining.
You could say that’s hypercritical, but the very next possession, tied at 17-17, there wasn’t a single rushing attempt. Minnesota got the ball back after a three-and-out and the rest is history. When will Riley trust his run game to close out these close contests?
USC has shown how resilient they are, maybe too much for everyone’s liking this early into the year. They’ll have to prove it every week from here on out to reach their goals. There’s no more wiggle room. There’s no more grace period. The Trojans have to win out.
Across the college football landscape, many ranked teams were tested against unranked foes. Georgia passed the Auburn test, and Ohio State passed the Iowa test. Alabama fell to Vanderbilt in one of the biggest upsets in college football history. Michigan faltered on the road to Washington. Tennessee was upset by Arkansas.
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The 11th-ranked USC Trojans seek their second straight Big Ten victory on Saturday with an evening matchup against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Minneapolis. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT) with TV coverage on BTN and streaming on-demand.
- How to watch: Live streams of the USC vs. Minnesota game are available with offers from FuboTV (free trial), SlingTV (low intro rate) and DirecTV Stream (free trial).
- For a limited time, FuboTV is offering $30 off the first month after the free trial period. With $30 offer, plans start at $49.99.
#11 USC Trojans (3-1) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-3)
NCAA football matchup at a glance
When: Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT)
Where: Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minn.
TV channel: BTN
Live streams: FuboTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate) | DirecTV Stream (free trial)
USC remains in the hunt for a College Football Playoff spot and could still jump back into the mix for a Big Ten title, but a sound effort will be required for Saturday’s trip to Minneapolis. The Trojans toppled Wisconsin (38-21) last time out to rebound from their first loss to Michigan (27-24), driven by four total touchdowns (one rush) from quarterback Miller Miss.
A challenging stretch continues for the Golden Gophers who look to avoid an 0-3 start in Big Ten play after falling to Iowa (31-14) and No. 12 Michigan (27-24) in their two most recent games. Minnesota is an 8-point underdog against USC in a line that shifted from 9.5 points and an over/under of 51.5 to 8 points and 46.5 through early action banking on a lower-scoring affair.
USC Trojans vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers: Know your live streaming options
- FuboTV (free trial) – excellent viewer experience with huge library of live sports content; free trial lengths vary; monthly rate after free trial starts at $49.99 for duration of $30 first month discount.
- SlingTV (low intro rate) – discounted first month is best if you’ve run out of free trials or you’re in the market for 1+ month of TV
- DirecTV Stream (free trial) – not the same level of viewer experience as FuboTV, but the standard 7-day free trial is still the longest in streaming.
The Trojans and Golden Gophers are set for a 7:30 p.m. ET start on BTN. Live streams are available from FuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and SlingTV (low intro rate).
NEWBURG, MINN. — Driving down a winding road dotted with farms, churches and roadside produce stands, it can be easy to miss the only business in town here, an old red shop tucked behind rows of flowers and hanging ferns.
But make no mistake, behind those century-and-a-half-old walls is one of the top food destinations in Minnesota’s Driftless Area.
For the past seven years, Irene Fishburn has been delighting locals and road-trippers alike with made-from-scratch delicacies at Newburg Vintage Home and Garden and Small Batch Bakery.
Fishburn opened the business after she and her husband, Glenn, moved to southeastern Minnesota to be closer to family in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After leaving the grind of their corporate careers in California, the couple settled on a former general store where Irene, a former merchandise buyer for more than 35 stores, could sell garden gifts and baked goods, and Glenn could fish in a nearby trout stream.
Their retirement was set — at least that was the plan.
“When we first bought it, we imagined sitting on the front porch and having coffee with neighbors who stopped by,” Irene said. “We had no idea that it would become a destination-type business.”
Open only on select Saturdays — and then for only three hours — the Newburg bakery regularly draws scores of people willing to stand in line for up to an hour during the busiest summer months to get a taste of authentic French baking. Others come from just down the road.
Mike and Cheryl Erickson, both retired military members, spend their summers in nearby Mabel, Minn., where Mike grew up. He remembers getting ice cream as a kid outside of the same building and said he initially came to the bakery with low expectations.
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