Jeff Rueter, Senior Writer for The Athletic, joins The Loony Bin to talk about MLS, Minnesota United and the 2025 season about to begin. Matt and Dan discuss the end of preseason, make their own MN-Prophecies for the upcoming campaign, and take a look at the team’s new Away kit that has everyone cracking jokes.

Pledge to the Charity Card Club that turns bad behavior into Doing Good Stuff: dgsunited.org/charity_card_club/ 

• Loon or Loonlet - 5:18

• Jeff Rueter Interview - 11:50

• Loon News - 1:09:20

• MN-Prophecy - 1:17:06

• LAFC Preview - 1:21:15

• Loon Droppings - 1:23:38

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Connect with us on Blue Sky (@loonybinpodcast.bsky.social), email us at [email protected] or find us at www.theloonybinpod.com. 

Dan Elias (@oyvey2you.bsky.social)

Matt Leaf (@loonlet.bsky.social)

After making the signings of Nicolas Romero and Hoyeon Jung official, Owen Gene is in town for his physical and to sign his contract. The team is back in California having already smashed SKC (maybe more like SKCII) 6-0 in their first game at the Coachella Valley Invitational and we will break it all down.

• Loon or Loonlet - 4:05

• Quick Hits Around Soccer - 11:15

• Loon News - 18:48

• Roster Updates - 33:05

• Loon Droppings - 45:33

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Connect with us on Blue Sky (@loonybindpodcast.bsky.social), email us at [email protected] or find us at www.theloonybinpod.com. 

Dan Elias (@oyvey2you.bsky.social)

Matt Leaf (@loonlet.bsky.social)

The Loons have officially signed two new players in Nicolas Romero from Atletico Tucuman in Argentina and Hoyeon Jung from Gwangju in South Korea. And it seems like the team has one or two more signings up their sleeves. We also talk about the Loons’ first team returning to the US Open Cup and the new Leagues Cup format. 

• Loon or Loonlet Trivia - 4:40

• Quick Hits Around Soccer - 11:27

• US Open and Leagues Cup Roundup - 19:04

• Roster Updates - 35:00

• Loon Droppings - 51:32

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Connect with us on Blue Sky (@loonybindpodcast.bsky.social), email us at [email protected] or find us at www.theloonybinpod.com. 

Dan Elias (@oyvey2you.bsky.social)

Matt Leaf (@loonlet.bsky.social)

Wes Burdine, co-founder of Minnesota Aurora FC, joins the show to make the closing pitch for this round of Community Ownership Shares that closes on Friday, January 31st (mnaurora.com/become-a-community-owner-2024). Wes also talks Black Hart of St. Paul, MNUFC and takes his shot at Loon or Loonlet. Matt and Dan then catch you up on the state of the roster, especially with the news that midfielder Hassani Dotson is requesting a trade away from the team.  

• Quick Hits Around Soccer - 5:05

• Wes Burdine Interview - 11:35

• Wes Tries Loon or Loonlet Trivia - 16:48

• Roster Updates - 1:00:15

• Loon Droppings - 1:25:55

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Connect with us on Blue Sky (@loonybindpodcast.bsky.social), email us at [email protected] or find us at www.theloonybinpod.com. 

Dan Elias (@oyvey2you.bsky.social)

Matt Leaf (@loonlet.bsky.social)

While not 100% official at the time of recording, it’s clear Teemu Pukki has played his last game for our Loons. He heads home to be a family man now and we’ll tell you what it means for the team. We get into that preseason stuff, rosters and rumors, which is what it's all about this time of year. And the American Birding Association has named its 2025 Bird of the Year … (cliffhanger)

• Loon or Loonlet Trivia - 6:00

• Quick Hits Around Soccer - 12:20

• Roster Updates - 23:57

• Rumor Mill - 38:55

• Loon Droppings - 44:18

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Connect with us on Blue Sky (@loonybindpodcast.bsky.social), email us at [email protected] or find us at www.theloonybinpod.com. 

Dan Elias (@oyvey2you.bsky.social)

Matt Leaf (@loonlet.bsky.social)

It’s the return of Jon Marthaler as he takes on Loon or Loonlet trivia and talks all things United. Matt and Jon also square off in the Small Town Name Game. Then Matt and Dan talk Wil Trapp contract and a few of the other rumors bouncing around online. 

• Jon Marthaler Interview - 5:15

• Jon Marthaler Loon or Loonlet Trivia - 11:35

• MNUFC Updates - 52:10

• Rumor Mill - 59:50

• Loon Droppings - 1:08:48

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Connect with us on Blue Sky (@loonybindpodcast.bsky.social), email us at [email protected] or find us at www.theloonybinpod.com. 

Dan Elias (@oyvey2you.bsky.social)

Matt Leaf (@loonlet.bsky.social)

The Loon's rumor mill has started rolling and we're talking all about it. We give you our 2025 New Year’s Reso(Loon)tions for us and the team in 2025. And we also have two Reddit Up Vote or Down Vote segments before we get ready to welcome the team in for Coach Ramsay’s first preseason.  

• Loon or Loonlet - 4:02

• Quick Hits Around Soccer - 12:05

• MNUFC Updates - 23:09

• New Year’s Reso(Loon)tions - 45:18

• Loon Droppings - 51:50

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Connect with us on Blue Sky (@loonybindpodcast.bsky.social), email us at [email protected] or find us at www.theloonybinpod.com. 

Dan Elias (@oyvey2you.bsky.social)

Matt Leaf (@loonlet.bsky.social)

The Loony Bin is thrilled to welcome on former play-by-play voice of the Loons Cal Williams for an interview. Loonlet Matt and Dan take a look at the schedule release that includes one game of major intrigue. And the guys catch you up on the state of the roster heading into 2025. 

• Quick Hits - 4:25

• Cal Williams Interview - 10:45

• Call Williams Loon or Loonlet - 16:10

• Schedule Release - 58:40

• Roster Update - 1:09:45

• Loon Droppings - 1:23:55

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Connect with us on Blue Sky (@loonybindpodcast.bsky.social), email us at [email protected] or find us at www.theloonybinpod.com. 

Dan Elias (@oyvey2you.bsky.social)

Matt Leaf (@loonlet.bsky.social)

It’s MLS Awards season and Matt and Dan have some Loon awards to give out. Some are standard while others are just a bit loony. The guys also discuss the Coach Ramsay Open Letter to fans that gave some folks a fright. 

• Loon or Loonlet - 6:45

• 2024 Loon Awards - 23:38

• Loon Droppings - 56:20

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Connect with us on Blue Sky (@loonybindpodcast.bsky.social), email us at [email protected] or find us at www.theloonybinpod.com. 

Dan Elias (@oyvey2you.bsky.social)

Matt Leaf (@loonlet.bsky.social)

Matt and Dan discuss (and draft!) the best and worst moments of the Loons’ 2024 season before discussing the just released roster moves. And the guys start to look ahead to some of the events that could impact the 2025 season. The episode also includes a major development in the Carrot the hamster story. 

• Loon or Loonlet - 3:50

• Quick Hits - 10:55

• Best/Worst Moments of 2024 Draft - 16:20

• Loon Droppings - 46:18

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Connect with us on Blue Sky (@loonybindpodcast.bsky.social), email us at [email protected] or find us at www.theloonybinpod.com. 

Dan Elias (@oyvey2you.bsky.social)

Matt Leaf (@loonlet.bsky.social)