Minnesota United announced today the club has signed MNUFC2 goalkeeper Francesco Montali to a Short-Term Agreement, making him available for selection during Sunday’s MLS match at LA Galaxy at 9:30 p.m. CT.

Montali joined MNUFC2 on July 2 on an MLS NEXT Pro contract through the end of 2024 and made his first start in net for the Twos on July 3 against North Texas SC. At the collegiate level for Boston University, the goalkeeper made 47 appearances (47 starts) in his three years from 2021-2023. As a Terrier, Montali earned 19 shutouts in those 47 matches.

Montali recently was on the roster for Vermont Green FC, a semi-professional USL League Two team that competes in the summer months. In his youth, the keeper developed with both Orlando City SC’s academy and the New York Red Bulls academy.

Transaction: Minnesota United signs MNUFC2 goalkeeper Francesco Montali to a Short-Term Agreement, making him available for selection during Sunday’s MLS match at LA Galaxy at 9:30 p.m. CT.

Francesco Montali
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 9/6/2000 (23 years old)
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 185 lbs.
Hometown: Davie, Florida
Previous Club: Boston University

A picture has emerged of the completely wrecked Dodge Charger that was carrying Minnesota Vikings player Khyree Jackson and two others when they tragically died in a car crash.

Jackson, 24, was killed along with former high school teammates Anthony Lytton Jr., 24, and Isaiah Hazel, 23, in a three-car accident in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

His mother, Ebbony Jackson, confirmed the news to TMZ on Saturday, saying she received a call about his death in the early hours of Saturday morning. 

Jackson and Hazel were both pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical services, Maryland Police said. Meanwhile, Lytton was transported to hospital where he later died. 

Images show the completely disfigured and squashed Charger being taken away from the scene by a tow truck. The flattened vehicle appears to have had its back part completely torn off. 

Minnesota Vikings draftee Khyree Jackson died in a car accident at the young age of 24

The accident occurred at around 3am ET Saturday when a woman, identified as Cori Clingman, driving a silver Infinity attempted to change lanes on Route 4 at a high speed, police believe.

She struck the Dodge Charger, driven by Hazel and carrying Jackson and Lytton, which collided with another vehicle causing the Dodge to careen off the road, hitting multiple tree stops before eventually coming to a stop.

Clingman had two other passengers in her vehicle at the time of the crash, while the other driver was the only occupant of his Chevrolet. No one else was injured in the accident.

Maryland police have launched an investigation into the fatal crash, believing alcohol may have been involved.

Hazel played at Maryland and Charlotte, while Lytton played at Florida State and Penn State. 

Cornerback Jackson’s shock death comes just under three months since he was selected by the Vikings in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Minnesota took Jackson with the 108th overall pick in the fourth round, following his collegiate career for both the Oregon Ducks and Alabama Crimson Tide. 

He was in consideration to be a starter for the Vikings for the upcoming NFL season.

His former high school teammates Anthony Lytton Jr. (L) and Isaiah Hazel (R) also died

Jackson is pictured with quarterback and fellow draftee JJ McCarthy at rookie camp in May 

The Vikings, owners Mark and Zygi Wilf and head coach Kevin O’Connell all paid moving tributes to Jackson on Saturday – with the franchise admitting they are ‘devastated’.

The team’s statement read: ‘We are devastated by the news of Khyree Jackson’s death following an overnight car accident.

‘While we work to gather more information, we have spoken to Khyree’s family and offered the support of the Minnesota Vikings.

‘We have also communicated the news to Vikings players, coaches and staff and have offered counseling for those who need emotional support. 

‘Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident.’

Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf added: ‘We are deeply saddened by the news of Khyree’s passing. 

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell admitted he was ‘at a loss for words’ after the news broke

‘Khyree had an extremely bright future ahead of him as a player, and it was clear he was dedicated to being a tremendous person who made a positive difference in people’s lives. 

‘We are thinking about Khyree’s family and friends and all members of the Minnesota Vikings following this devastating loss.’

‘I am absolutely crushed by this news. Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team,’ added Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.

‘His confidence and engaging personality immediately drew his teammates to him. 

‘In our short time together, it was evident Khyree was going to develop into a tremendous professional football player, but what was more impressive was his desire to become the best person he could be for his family and those around him.

‘I am at a loss for words. My heart goes out to Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches.’

The location, layout and general vibe may be very different this year. Like Taste of Minnesota festivals of old, however, the free music lineup Saturday in the revamped event’s new downtown Minneapolis site offered an oddly mish-mashed, nostalgia-heavy but crowd-pleasing mix.

Country music veteran Martina McBride, ’90s adult-rock hitmakers the Wallflowers, and homegrown alt-country veterans the Gear Daddies were the top-drawing acts for the first of two days in Taste’s second year in a setting that also feels quite hodge-podgey.

The fenced-off Taste grounds are spread out between empty parking lots and blocked-off streets around the Minneapolis Central Library and the north end of Nicollet Mall. It’s not the prettiest of sites, and finding somewhere to sit is harder than spotting a low-calorie food option.

However, the new digs did smoothly accommodate the strong turnout amid Saturday’s golden weather, with organizers reporting more than 35,000 attendees through the gates by 3:30 p.m.

Considering the festival’s old location on Harriet Island has been flooded in recent days, the new spot certainly felt sufficient for Taste’s many offerings — including a new fleet of food trucks, four music stages, an amateur wrestling ring and even a zip line.

The biggest of the four new Taste stages is in a crumbly lot sandwiched between the library, Four Seasons Hotel and other tall buildings. Thanks to this site, U.S. Bank Stadium may no longer hold the distinction of being Minneapolis’ most echoey music venue. A mid-afternoon set by rapper and DJ Sophia Eris with beatmaker pal Makr was especially muddied by the bouncing acoustics and other technical issues.

The sound and vibe at the Jazz 88 stage on the north end of the Taste layout was much more appealing, in part because it’s one of the few places you’ll find trees or grass. Local jazz stylist Jennifer Grimm had fans there cooling in the shade and singing along to Billie Holliday’s “I’ll Be Singing You,” and the BZ3 Organ Trio with all-star drummer Kevin Washington had them up and grooving through an instrumental cover of Prince’s “Controversy.”

Since none of the other mainstage acts enjoyed huge Instagram followers or TikTok numbers, it was no surprise that many of the attendees who stuck by the big stage looked old enough to have regularly attended Taste of Minnesota’s prior iterations, evolving over the mid-1980s to the late 2000s on Harriet Island and the State Capitol grounds in St. Paul.

Performing between Eris and an ultra-hyping intro by comedian Fancy Ray McCloney, Gear Daddies’ frontman Martin Zellar joked that his band was “going to cut the energy in half.” Of course, their old favorites such as “Zamboni” and “Stupid Boy” did the opposite and sparked big, smiley audience singalongs. Even the downers in the Daddies’ set were well-received, including “Color of Her Eyes” and “Cut Me Off.”

The Wallflowers started out feisty and loud with songs off their last album, highlighted by “The Dive Bar in My Heart” — reminiscent of Minnesota legends the Replacements, whose bassist Tommy Stinson was watching from side-stage. Wallflowers frontman Jakob Dylan greeted the crowd by cheekily noting that, unlike his dad Bob, he did not qualify as a taste of Minnesota.

“You guys do know I’m not from here, right?” he cracked. “But I thank you for this as some kind of homecoming.”

Despite personnel changes over the years and a long lull in the 2010s, the rock scion’s band sounded as rock-solid and full-spirited as ever as it revisited some of their best-known tunes, including a rootsier-styled “6th Avenue Heartache” and “One Headlight.” Instead of offering a taste of (Bob) Dylan for the Minnesota fest, Jakob paid tribute to Tom Petty with covers of “Refugee” and “The Waiting” at the end of their set.

In the headlining slot, McBride played to a smaller crowd but showed why she’s endured in the male-dominated Nashville music biz for three decades. Her 1993 breakthrough hit “My Baby Loves” kicked off a series of feel-good love songs, including “Safe in the Arms of Love” and “Love’s the Only House.” Her covers of country classics “Rose Garden” and “You Ain’t Woman Enough (to Take My Man)” came off sweet, too, given they were launched by two female country music legends. Too bad Taste’s spotty sound system cut out during the former song.

Taste of Minnesota continues Sunday with a music lineup that is more truly Minnesotan — and should attract a lot of Prince fans — as Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Morris Day and other members of the Time are slated to stage a rare reunion tied to the 40th anniversary of “Purple Rain,” preceded by Sounds of Blackness and more.