FiftyFive.One Podcast

If a tree preseasons in the woods and no one is there to see it, did it have a preseason?

Wes, Rodrigo, Corey, and Mark explore this and many other fascinating topics as they discuss the week in Minnesota United and MLS.

Michael Vang comes from East Saint Paul and in 2020 he debuted as one of the first Hmong professional soccer players, playing for Forward Madison. Wes talk to Vang about his path to being a professional and what the future holds.

Mark and Wes are joined by Alex and eventually Rodrigo shows up. They talk about all the depressing news in MLS: JMo injured, Sacramento out of MLS, racist dickhead does racist things. But then they talk about the new Minnesota United kit, Patrick Weah's hate of animals, and more.

Corey, Wes, Rodrigo, and Mark look at the MLS CBA negotiations and what it means for Minnesota United. They update you on all the player transfer watches like Adrian Hunou. And then they talk shit.

The Principal Owner of Minnesota United FC, Dr. Bill McGuire, sit down with Wes to talk about:

-Minnesota United's best year ever

-Managing through the pandemic

-Wes gives him a chance to gloat at the Loons' doubters

-The long pursuit of Emanuel Reynoso

-When fans might be in stands this year

-Minnesota United's academy system, including the surprise success of some young Minnesotans

-The team's response to Black Lives Matter and the Summer Uprisings

-Development surrounding the stadium

-The future of the team

-Watching Sunderland Til I Die

Wes, Rodrigo, Mark, and Corey return to talk about the world of soccer.

A couple article links:

A soccer ball on the Challenger when it exploded lives on

https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/30782213/nasa-astronaut-ellison-onizuka-soccer-ball-survived-challenger-explosion

Charles Boehm talked to Kevin Molino about moving on

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2021/01/31/new-columbus-crew-sc-signing-kevin-molino-talks-leaving-minnesota-united-trinidad

Mark, Rodrigo, Wes, and Corey talk about the upcoming MLS draft, Minnesota United signing Wil Trapp, and losing Kevin Molino.

Wes calls up Danish Toronto FC fan Henrik Høgholt Lønne and Swedish Minnesota United fan (or at least friend of the team) Johan Dykhoff. They talk about 75 foot long cartoon penises, lower division Scandinavian soccer, Freddy Adu, and more.

It's the end of the year, so Rodrigo, Wes, Mark, and Corey take questions from listeners about Minnesota United, television, and Disney Princesses.

Carl Craig is a legend of Minnesota soccer, having won the NASL title as assistant coach, responsible for the Wonderwall tradition, and then becoming head coach for a year. Now he is the head coach and technical director of Forward Madison. Wes and Carl catch up and talk about soccer and life.