Recent content from Jon Marthaler
Analysis: Minnesota United exits satisfied with strategy emphasizing defense against LAFC
Coach Eric Ramsay has expressed a goal of controlling the ball more, but that was never the pursuit as the Loons lost in Los Angeles.
Loons open Year 2 under laser-focused, ambitious young coach Ramsay
Eric Ramsay has all the qualities the Loons want in a manager, but will he stay long enough to be the face of the franchise?
Can the Loons take the next step? Five questions entering a new season.
Minnesota United will see if its newcomers can be difference makers in a deep MLS Western Conference.
Minnesota United coach shoots down notion he's headed to Swansea City
A stir began when Eric Ramsay was made a betting favorite to take the job where he began his career.
Loons analysis: Understanding Hlongwane's hybrid role as new season approaches
The Loons foresee Bongokuhle Hlongwane thriving in the role with comparisons to Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong.
As new MLS season nears, Loons players already have 2026 World Cup front of mind
Tani Oluwaseyi and Dayne St. Clair are among the Minnesota United players on a mission to play the World Cup for their home country.
Loons sign 21-year-old French midfielder Owen Gene; Leagues Cup foes announced
Owen Gene is one of three U22 Initiative players on the Loons roster, joining Nicolás Romero and Sang Bin Jeong.
Minnesota United manager Ramsay experiments with two strikers in Coachella Valley
The Loons had immediate success with the new alignment Sunday in a 6-0 exhibition victory over Sporting Kansas City.
Minnesota United's South Korean duo ranks as rare in MLS
The Loons, with Sang Bin Jeong a mainstay and Hoyeon Jung added recently, have two of the seven South Koreans who have played in Major League Soccer.
Trade request aside, Dotson still very much in the fold for the Loons
Loons soccer boss Khaled El-Ahmad says the sides are having "all calm, good conversations."
Analysis: Dotson's trade request leaves Minnesota United in a tough spot
One of the Loons' key players, Hassani Dotson is clearly unhappy with his contract situation, and replacing him would be quite difficult.
Analysis: Loons buy out Pukki's contract, clearing his transfer to HJK in Finland
The Teemu Pukki era with the Loons has ended with fond memories from 2023, but not so much from 2024.
Loons negotiating with Jeong Ho-yeon, Owen Gene on transfer market
The Loons, need to improve in the middle, have also had their sights on Nicolás Romero
Minnesota United nearing deal to acquire young Argentine center back
The Loons are working on signing Nicolás Romero from Atlético Tucumán — the same club in Argentina that produced Joaquín Pereyra.
Minnesota United, amid a frigid training camp, prepares to separate from its highest-paid player
A transfer of striker Teemu Pukki to a Finnish power is on the verge of completion and would free up valuable roster positions.
Loons will play international friendly against Bundesliga's Holstein Kiel
The exhibition match is set for July 7 at Allianz Field during the middle of Minnesota United's MLS season.
Messi and Inter Miami to face Minnesota United on May 10 at Allianz Field
The Loons announced their 2025 schedule on Thursday, and one highlight is their first chance to face Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
How can the Loons compete with the best in the West? Continuity, for starters.
By the time LA Galaxy hoisted the MLS Cup, it was clear to Minnesota's new regime how far the Loons need to go.
Analysis: The Loons' first moves of the offseason keep roster largely intact
The Loons picked up their 2025 options on Dayne St. Clair, Tani Oluwaseyi, Hassani Dotson and Bongokuhle Hlongwane -- each a candidate for a contract extension.
Analysis: Despite 'sour taste' from season-ending loss, Loons accomplished much
Said coach Eric Ramsay about his first season with Minnesota United: "I know when the dust settles, we'll look back with a real sense of satisfaction."
Minnesota United's season ends in Western Conference semifinals with 6-2 loss to Galaxy
The Loons had given up two goals in their previous seven matches, but the high-powered Galaxy scored three in each half against them.
Analysis: Minnesota United's rookie coach Ramsay leads team back from the abyss
The Loons were in a freefall, but 33-year-old coach Eric Ramsay pushed all the right buttons on the way to Sunday's MLS Western Conference semifinal vs. LA Galaxy.
Analysis: Here's how the Loons can upset the LA Galaxy in the MLS playoffs
It's an age-old strategy, but one that applies perfectly here, considering the Galaxy's weaknesses.
Analysis: Loons have reason to believe they match up well with Galaxy
Minnesota United is a No. 6 seed playing the second-seeded Galaxy and couldn't beat them in two tries this season. But a closer look inside the matchup brings hope.
![Romell Quioto (12) of Honduras exhaled in the first half Wednesday, Feb. 2, at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@star](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/IL7JT6G3LURSV3BO6ROPGUCWSA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Ice cold soccer alert: What if MLS flips to a fall-spring schedule?
Minnesota United could clinch its MLS playoff series against Real Salt Lake with a win Saturday. Meanwhile, however, the league is considering a schedule model that would hurt attendance in cold-weather cities.
Analysis: Loons employees heckled team to help prepare for penalty shootout
Minnesota United coach Eric Ramsay got creative to help his players get ready for Game 1 against Real Salt Lake. His team delivered.
Loons take 1-0 lead in MLS Cup first round with win over Real Salt Lake
Loons took the opening match of the best-of-three series on penalty kicks, winning the shootout 5-4.
How Minnesota United dug out of a huge hole and made the MLS Cup Playoffs
The Loons shook everything up, endured a brutal, eight-game stretch and landed in a playoff series against Real Salt Lake that many think they can win.
Analysis: Loons playoff series has penalty kicks written all over it
Loons games against Real Salt Lake are almost always close, and with no overtime in the MLS Cup Playoffs, penalty kicks could very well decide this.
