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Preview | Heating Up On The Road To Hotlanta | Minnesota United FC

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Preview | Heating Up On The Road To Hotlanta | Minnesota United FC


Hey everyone…we’re going streaking…but, keep your clothes on, fans…I’m talking about our Loons since, in the technical sense, two straight wins makes it a streak. But, dad jokes aside, it’s encouraging to see the Black and Blue shake off their short lull to take six points from their victorious efforts in Charlotte and back home against Sporting Kansas City. As for this weekend, the boys will hit the road looking to continue their hot streak in Hotlanta. Of course, I’m talking about Atlanta United, so let’s do exactly that, shall we?

| Run of Form

Minnesota United FC (5-2-2)

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As I touched on just a few sentences ago, the Loons have done their part in making that home loss against Houston a few weeks back feel like a distant memory. With two wins in hand and six points in the standings, the boys find themselves sitting a little prettier in the Western Conference in the number four spot. In recent history, MNUFC has been able to rise to the occasion when going on the road, but not every away matchday is built the same, and Atlanta will present its own set of obstacles to contend with.More on that shortly.

Atlanta United FC (3-3-3)

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The other United’s last outing, a scoreless draw with the Chicago Fire, won’t go down as one of their sharper performances. While Atlanta was able to at least take a point from the match, they won’t be thrilled with the final result considering they didn’t allow Chicago a single shot on-target . And, Atlanta’s record at the moment isn’t a true representation of the talent on their roster, because they are flush with it. However, the Five Stripes’ attack just doesn’t seem to be on the same page at the moment, and while they’ve played well defensively this season, they’re still thin on the backline, as multiple defenders have been on the shelf with injuries. With the Loons having a fair amount of depth on the roster, Atlanta’s lack thereof could be something our forwards can exploit.

| Keys to the Game

Maybe it isn’t exactly common knowledge to Loons fans since Atlanta hails from the Eastern Conference, but Mercedes-Benz Stadium is far from “friendly confines” for the visitors. Atlanta’s fanbase shows up and gets loud enough to blow the roof off the place. Speaking of roofs, it’s another x-factor that the Black and Blue rarely have to deal with, if ever. The thing about roofs is they hold all that noise coming from their crowd inside, and while the boys have shown that they can be road warriors and spoil the opposition’s night, they’ll have to overcome a hostile environment to do so this Saturday.

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Mo’ Giorgos, Mo’ Problems?

About a month ago, Giorgos Giakoumakis was in top form. While it was, and still is, way too early to be handing out awards yet, the Atlanta United striker was having his name tossed around as an early front-runner for the Golden Boot. But, a bone bruise in his right knee would put a hitch in his giddyup, both literally and figuratively, which kept him sidelined for the better part of April. Last weekend against Chicago, Giakoumakis made his return to the pitch and was able to put in 66 minutes with the starting XI before being subbed off. After coming away from Chicago without any setbacks, I expect to see more of the Greek goal-scorer, who will be hunting for his first goal since before his injury. He may not be the only star Minnesota will have to contend with, but if the backline can avoid letting the striker get behind them, and if Dayne’s on his game, we can keep Giakoumakis at bay.

Against Sporting Kansas City, the attack was the story in the first half. As for the second half, while it was less pretty than the boys’ showing earlier in the evening, I would define it as a gritty, bend-don’t-break effort defensively…with maybe a little bit of luck mixed in too. But, against a loaded Atlanta attack, the midfield is likely to have their hands full trying to stop the likes of Giakoumakis and Thiago Almada in the middle of the pitch. While the Loons have shown how successful they can be when attacking with their wingbacks pressed up the field, the workrate that goes into that approach can be draining. Last week, Joseph Rosales and D.J. Taylor were all over the pitch, and worthy contributors to holding the advantage in the second half. Going into Atlanta, I do wonder how fresh their legs will be after grinding it out last week. Coach Ramsay has proven to be somewhat fearless in giving opportunities to young talent and versatile reserves in the Loons’ starting XI. Whatever strategy Ramsay plans to implement, the need for fresher legs may be something to consider if they want to keep up with Atlanta wingers Saba Lobjanidze and Tyler Wolff. If not, then it’s only a matter of time before they start looking for opportunities to find Almada and Giakoumakis in the middle. But, if Rosales and Taylor have their fitness intact for this Saturday, their presence will buoy the Loons’ chances from both a defensive and ball possession standpoint.

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Boldy, Eriksson Ek help Wild cruise past Stars in Game 1 of Western 1st Round | NHL.com

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Boldy, Eriksson Ek help Wild cruise past Stars in Game 1 of Western 1st Round | NHL.com


Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and two assists, and Ryan Hartman had a goal and an assist for the Wild, who are the No. 3 seed in the Central Division. Wallstedt made 27 saves in his Stanley Cup Playoff debut, and Zuccarello had three assists.

“I was definitely nervous,” said Wallstedt, a rookie. “I think it shows that it means something to you. I like a little bit of nerves. I think it’s something good. There were definitely some nerves throughout the day and then a little bit extra rolling into the game. But after the national anthem was over and the first couple pucks started coming, you’re good. 

“I wanted to play and I felt like I have been going good. I was a little surprised (to get the start). But I was very excited as soon as I got the news. I just wanted to make sure I was ready today.”

Jason Robertson scored, and Jake Oettinger made 23 saves for the Stars, who are the No. 2 seed in the Central.

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“We didn’t deserve to win,” Dallas forward Mikko Rantanen said. “I think two power-play goals for them, two a little-bit bounces for them where we had guys in the right spot. Just even keel. Playoffs are like this. Sometimes you lose a game, you can feel like you’re done. But that’s the mentality you need to have, you’ve got to reset and learn from mistakes. 

“First 30 minutes, we didn’t win enough battles. They were just that little bit stronger in the battles and that’s why they were able to make us defend more than we want to. Just got to be stronger.”

Game 2 is here on Monday (9:30 p.m. ET; FDSNWI, FDSNNO, Victory+, ESPN, TVAS2, SN360).

“We prepped for a couple days coming into this one. Now, we will gather information from this game and continue to move forward,” Minnesota coach John Hynes said. “For me, it’s game to game and day to day. We want to continue to get better. We won and they [Dallas] lost. It’s not so much being satisfied where you’re at or that’s what it is. We need to continue to find ways to get better.”

Eriksson Ek gave the Wild a 1-0 lead at 5:35 of the first period on the power play. He scored on a one-timer from the left hash marks to finish a tic-tac-toe passing play with Zuccarello and Boldy, who found an open Eriksson Ek with a pass from the goal line.

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“I think every team in the playoffs talks about not getting too high or too low. Just enjoy every day and each game and then we will go from there,” Eriksson Ek said. “I think we played pretty good today. The next game is a new game, so we just have to do it over and over every game. We know they are probably not the happiest with that game, so I am sure it’s going to be hard next game.”



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ICE agent assault charge marks a ‘milestone’ for Minnesota prosecutors

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ICE agent assault charge marks a ‘milestone’ for Minnesota prosecutors



Minnesota prosecutors charged a federal immigration agent with assault accusing him of involvement in a February road-rage incident.

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Minnesota prosecutors charged a federal immigration agent with assault, saying the agent was involved in a February road-rage incident during the Trump administration’s Operation Metro Surge.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., 35, faces two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, according to April 16 Hennepin County court records. He has a nationwide warrant for his arrest.

On Feb. 5, prosecutors said Morgan allegedly drove illegally on the shoulder of a congested Minnesota highway in an unmarked SUV and pointed his weapon at two people in another car.

Morgan is the first agent charged in Operation Metro Surge, the controversial Minneapolis-area federal immigration operation that resulted in two American citizens fatally shot by federal officials, according to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.

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The charges “reflect an important milestone in our efforts to seek accountability for the harms inflicted on our community during Operation Metro Surge,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in an April 16 video statement.

Second-degree assault with a gun has a presumptive sentence of 36 months in prison if convicted, she said.

“Mr. Morgan’s conduct was extremely dangerous,” she said, adding his actions could have led to “another disastrous incident” in the community.

Neither ICE nor the Department of Homeland Security immediately responded to email requests for comment. A cell phone listed for Morgan, identified as a Maryland resident, didn’t immediately respond to a call or text message.

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The incident came less than two weeks after two Customs and Border Protection officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, 37, during a protest in Minneapolis. Pretti would be the second American killed during Metro Surge after an ICE agent in early January fatally shot Renee Good, 37, while she drove her SUV in Minneapolis near an immigration operation.

Later in February, the Trump administration drew down Metro Surge, which officials called the largest immigration operation in modern American history.

Investigators said they interviewed Morgan, who identified himself as the driver. Morgan told investigators he and the other ICE employee were returning from a surveillance shift. Morgan said he feared for his life and others’ safety, so he pulled up alongside the vehicle and drew his Glock 19 firearm. He said he identified himself as police. 

State investigators said neither Morgan nor the other ICE agent reported the incident to an ICE supervisor.

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The April 16 warrant, signed by District Court Judge Paul Scoggin, said there was a “substantial likelihood” Morgan would fail to respond to a summons, and officials couldn’t locate him.

On April 18, Daniel Borgertpoepping, a spokesperson for the county attorney’s office, said there is no knowledge of Morgan being arrested yet.

Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email at emcuevas1@usatoday.com or on Signal at emcuevas.01.



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Reds Brandon Williamson beats Twins in first Minnesota homecoming

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Reds Brandon Williamson beats Twins in first Minnesota homecoming


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  • In his first professional start in Minnesota, Trimont, MN, native Brandon Williamson pitched into the sixth to beat the Twins 2-1.
  • The victory was the opener of a six-game road trip for the Reds, who improved to 12-8.

MINNEAPOLIS – Brandon Williamson came to this ballpark as a kid, rooted for Joe Mauer and the Twins, maybe even dreamed a little of playing there one day.

“Oh, yeah. Joe Ma,” Williamson said. “That’s my guy.”

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By the time that day came, Mauer had a statue outside the stadium, and Williamson had 29 career starts across three big-league seasons for the Cincinnati Reds.

And then the kid from tiny Trimont, Minnesota, came up big enough to beat the Twins in his first professional start in his home state – a 2-1 victory Friday in front of 200 or more personal friends and family from Trimont. And about 31,000 other people.

“It was awesome,” said Williamson, whose personal contingent at the game represented close to one-third of greater Trimont (pop. 705). “It was everything I thought it would be.”

The left-hander didn’t pitch especially deep into the game, getting two batters into the sixth. But on a night made for native Minnesotans, with a game-time temperature of 43 degrees, Williamson looked right at, well, home, pitching to the conditions and setting down the first six batters he faced – and eight of the first nine.

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As one local press box wag quipped during the second inning, “These Minnesota boys know how to pitch in the cold.”

A pair of one-out runs in the fourth inning provided the scoring for a Reds team lineup still trying to break free from its early season woes – albeit with the twin obstacles of the weather and All-Star starter Joe Ryan’s presence on the mound for the Twins for the first six innings.

The only two hits off Ryan were doubles in the fourth by Elly De La Cruz and Eugenio Suárez, sandwiched around a throwing error by third baseman Ryan Kreidler. Suárez’s hit drove in two.

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The only run against Williamson scored after he inexplicably followed four strong innings with three consecutive walks to open the fifth, including a four-pitch walk to No. 8 hitter Brooks Lee leading off the inning.

Austin Martin followed the three freebies with a sacrifice fly on a dying liner to the gap in right that Will Benson caught with a slide.

Williamson then rallied to get Luke Keaschall on an inning-ending, 5-4-3 double play started by Suárez, who got the rare start at third base.

“I thought he handled himself really good,” manager Terry Francona said. “He looked like he was having fun pitching. I know he didn’t like walking the bases loaded. But he looked like he was enjoying himself out there. I like that when guys are enjoying competing; then we’re OK.”

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Williamson also left the bases loaded in the third after a hit batter and two-out single followed by a walk. He struck out Keaschall on a called third strike that was confirmed after Keaschall challenged.

“I could have kissed whoever was running the ABS,” Williamson said.

The Reds improved to 12-8 and remained tied for first place in the National League Central after their third win in four games – the second in that stretch by a 2-1 score.“That was cool,” said closer Emilio Pagán, who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the save in his first outing since experiencing hamstring tightness Tuesday.

“I don’t have a team in my home state (of South Carolina),” Pagán said, “so I don’t know what that feels like. But to pitch against probably his favorite team growing up in front of that many friends and family had to be a surreal feeling. And he handled it great.”



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