Photo Evidence

Bleacher Report claims to have two pictures of the couple that night, along with more dirt on the entire situation. After the two were together at the soccer match, word of Gersson Rosas affair spread through NBA backchannels “like wildfire”.

Ownership was made aware of Rosas’ transgressions with the staffer when team officials were provided with photographic evidence of their connection, sources said. It seems few if any in Minnesota and around the league had general knowledge of Rosas’ relationship until Wednesday, when the news quickly spread throughout the organization, and to rival team personnel, like wildfire.

Rosas and the woman, each of whom is married, were seen kissing in a suite during a Minnesota United FC game last Saturday at Allianz Field​​, sources said. The soccer club was told to reserve luxury seating for several Timberwolves players and personnel, including assistant coach Pablo Prigioni. Two seats were filled by Rosas and the staffer. 

Those pictures have been obtained by Bleacher Report. One photograph is a close-up shot, clearly showing Rosas and the woman sitting beside one another in light blue cushioned seats, behind the suite’s protective plexiglass. A second photograph follows, where the two have leaned towards one another for a romantic embrace.

Jake Fischer – Bleacher Report

The photos mentioned haven’t hit public circles yet. In fact, it appears that Bleacher Report is the only site reporting access to them. Or, they’re the only outlet willing to write about it. Wolves assistant coach, Pablo Prigioni, is the only other person mentioned as present that night in the luxury suite. That, in itself, seems odd.

If anything else comes out, this blog will be updated or another one will be written.

Divisive Atmosphere

Bleacher Report is the latest outlet to make known that Rosas’ affair only rushed the inevitable. There was way too much friction in the top ranks for that regime to survive, especially through an ownership change. Other executives around the league started to ask question in July. The Timberwolves hosted a four-day pre-draft workout where Gersson stayed as far away from his staff as possible.

When the Timberwolves co-hosted a group predraft workout in July for 48 players over four days, it was open to attendance for all 30 teams, and rival team officials observed how Rosas never joined his own Minnesota staff during the event. While they all congregated in a section of the Target Center, sources said, Rosas instead spent the majority of the time on the opposite sideline with then-Jazz executive vice president Dennis Lindsey, a mentor dating back to their shared days in Houston and whose Jazz co-hosted the event. 

Jake Fischer – Bleacher Report

Just your latest reminder that not everything is how it appears. Nice words don’t make nice people.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The tournament will be held from July 8th to August 11th. The top two teams from each group will move on to the knockout stage. Eric is so excited for European sport-ball to be back that he nearly pissed his pants with joy!

Read more about the “MLS is Back” tournament here.

Loons… Late Night

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) June 24, 2020

MINNESOTA UNITED’S SCHEDULE

Although the tournament begins July 8th, the Loons won’t see action until July 12th, when they face off against Kansas City. That gives them a few days to acclimate to the central Florida heat and humidity.

As mentioned, if the Loons place first or second in Group D, they automatically advance to the knockout stage. If they place first, they will play the 3rd place team from Group B/C/E/F on July 26th at 10 p.m. (FS1). If they place second, they play the winner of Group C on July 28th at 7 p.m. (ESPN).

There is a scenario where they could place third in Group D, and still advance to the knockout round, depending on the tie-breaker. If that happens, they could play either the winner of Group A (July 25 – 7 p.m.) or Group C (July 27 – 7:30 p.m.).

The remainder of the tournament’s schedule can be found below:

? ? ?

The full schedule for the upcoming MLS Is Back tournament was obtained by The Athletic from a source on Wednesday.

Here it is. | @samstejskal

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 24, 2020

A PERFECT STORM

The schedule aligns well for Minnesota, as they look to advance to the knockout round. The Loons tied Real Salt Lake in points last season, but Salt Lake got a higher seed in the playoffs, because they had one additional win.

But that should not frighten United fans. The two teams drew 1-1, in Utah, and won 3-1 in St. Paul, during the 2019 regular season. As for Colorado and Kansas City, the Loons split the season series with both clubs last year. Even in a one-game situation, I wouldn’t be concerned with any of these teams overmatching The United.

54 matches. 26 teams. 6 groups. 1 champion.

The #MLSisBack tournament is set. What’s the toughest group? ? pic.twitter.com/q8rPSi7PQ8

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 11, 2020

With the eastern and western conferences of Major League Soccer being separated into three groups, the draw appeared to try and maintain regular season rivalries.

Being drawn into Group D is also the best possible outcome, for Minnesota. They avoid both Western Conference powerhouses in Los Angeles (LAFC and the LA Galaxy), and the reigning MLS Cup champion, Seattle Sounders.

MEGADEATH AVOIDED!

OFFSEASON ACQUISITIONS AND EARLY SEASON CHEMISTRY WILL BE KEY

Even after making the playoffs for the first time in 2019, Minnesota’s front office wasn’t satisfied with their first-round exit. A flurry of moves were made in the offseason to bolster the Starting 9 and ensure a better finish in 2020.

With striker Luis Amarilla and goalkeeper Tyler Miller joining the team –replacing Darwin Quintero and Vito Mannone — the Loons didn’t skip a beat, to begin the 2020 season. They started 2-0, with eight goals scored and just three allowed. Moreover, the team’s chemistry appeared to be in midseason form, under fourth-year manager Adrian Heath.

Minnesota United wins at Portland thanks to Luis Amarilla’s finish off a nice assist from Ethan Finlay ?#PORvMIN (via @FOXSoccer)pic.twitter.com/LhawiB9Llr

— Yahoo Soccer (@FCYahoo) March 2, 2020

Although COVID-19 and the subsequent hiatus may have chipped away at the chemistry, players have continued to show their commitment to improving. Many Loons players have been participating in voluntary training sessions to stay in match shape.

If Amarilla and Miller — among others — fail in their roles and chemistry takes a dive… this could be a disastrous tournament for Scarves Up Nation. It will be Heath’s job to ensure everyone gets back up to speed quickly.

WHAT TO EXPECT AND PREDICTIONS

The Loons talent and chemistry give the team a chance to compete with anyone, in Group D. I anticipate the team getting out of this first stage, and maybe even winning the whole Group. This would set them up for a possible deep run to the championship… Anything less than a quarter-finals appearance would be a bust.

Results like what you see above, should be enough for Minnesota to win the group round. That would, obviously, set them up with the best possible seed in the knockout round.

It is hard to imagine how any of this will actually play out, especially after a four month break. But the Minnesota United could not have had a better draw. Hopefully, they continue to break out and prove to the league they are a Major League Soccer club to reckon with.

In other words, it’s time for the DETHLOON TO RISE!

Full ⚫️
Squad ?
Training ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/MYOC9X1r0A

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) June 18, 2020

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan

For Americans who love the world’s game, any news on an expected return to Major League Soccer (MLS) is welcomed news and I’m here to bring that news to a site that’s criminally lacking Minnesota United FC and MLS content.

While MNUFC was flying high through the first two matches of the new season, scoring eight goals while allowing only three, COVID-19 cut any world-beating season way too short.

However, things are beginning to take shape around a potential return to top-league professional soccer here in the New World. As The Athletic reported last week, the plan would see all 26 clubs descend on Orlando, FL for a tournament much like the World Cup. 

Maybe that can fill some of the hole left by the USA Men’s National team when they missed the last real World Cup Tournament, which was held in Russia back in 2018.

via GIPHY

The MLS Tournament:

Utilizing Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, teams would be split into two groups per conference, for a total of four groups. Each team would be guaranteed five matches. Under this format — the reigning MLS Cup winning Seattle Sounders, U.S. Open Cup winners Atlanta United, and Supporters’ Shield winners LAFC — would be seeded into separate groups. The final top-spot would be awarded to hosts, Orlando City. 

Orlando should savor this opportunity because this is the closest they will get to the top anytime in the near future. The remaining teams would be selected through a random draw within their conference. 

The top two teams in each group would then advance to an eight-team, knockout competition, which would likely count towards MLS league standings, should an abbreviated season restart later in the summer (or fall).

What does this mean for the Loons? 

The league is considering implementing polymerase chain reaction tests, serology tests, and contact tracing for those going to Orlando. But many fans will disregard those factors and focus on how their favorite clubs are going to play instead.

Within the report, each club would be permitted between 45 and 47 personnel deemed “club delegates”. That would include not only players but staff as well. Each team would need to bring three goalkeepers and no more than 30 players. 

This should work out favorably for Minnesota United. Tyler Miller looks to be a better option in net over fan-favorite, Vito Mannone. We’re all still itching to see more of second-year player, Dayne St. Clair, and maybe even some of the homegrown signing, Fred Emmings. 

Although depth has been an issue in some areas (namely at center forward and up top if Luis Amarilla and Mason Toye go cold), the team still brings back their entire back six, which gained incredible experience from a playoff berth and U.S Open Cup finals appearance last year. 

Throw in a lack of international competitions for Romain Metanire, Robin Lod, and Jan Gregus to partake in along with the hopeful continued development of second year players Chase Gasper and Hassani Dotson and you have the makings for a team that could make it far if they get hot. 

This format also calls for an elimination of extra time for any knockout match tied after 90 minutes. Games would go directly to a penalty kick shootout instead. This would be an added benefit for a team that lacks depth. 

On top of that, roster sizes would increase from the typical 18 player gameday roster to a maximum of 23 players available for a game and 12 bench options for substitutes. 

With most of the team in or soon to be exiting their prime, this should give plenty of reason for manager Adrian Heath to push for the best possible results, instead of focusing on young player development. But if the club is up big or in no position to win, the expanded roster could give Heath a reason to throw in the youngsters for a time. 

This all came from a leaked report, which led to MLS Commissioner Don Garber issuing a statement. There is no current prize money or trophy set to be awarded…. and then you have the player safety concerns and the official MLSPA vote that is yet to be scheduled… But this is a step in the right direction and hopefully it leads to the most beautiful game in the world back into our lives.

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan