Soccer

Complete coverage of Minnesota United, Minnesota Aurora, the MLS and World Cup soccer. Latest scores, player stats, schedule, standings, game highlights and sports commentary from the Star Tribune.

Loons
December 9, 2023
Columbus Crew players celebrate as Christian Ramírez holds up the trophy after defeating Los Angeles FC to win the MLS championship

Crew race to 2-goal lead in 1st half, hold on to beat LAFC 2-1 for 3rd MLS Cup

The Crew added the title to their championships in 2008, when they beat the New York Red Bulls, and 2020, when they defeated the Seattle Sounders.
Loons
December 5, 2023
Minnesota United interim coach Sean McAuley instructed players during the team’s game against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Oct. 7 at Allianz Field.

Minnesota United plans to keep McAuley as interim coach, for now

The Loons will start practicing for a new season next month with Sean McAuley remaining as interim coach, the team announced Tuesday.
Loons
December 4, 2023

New Loons soccer boss El-Ahmad ready to leave Barnsley FC on Dec. 15

Khaled El-Ahmad, the Loons' new sporting director and chief soccer officer, came from Sweden, eager to learn, and began building a soccer career at Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Loons
December 1, 2023
Loons defender DJ Taylor started 29 of the 30 MLS games he played last season.

Loons sign Taylor to two-year deal and exercise Boxall's option

The Loons finalized their end-of-season in moves that were the first since their hiring of new chief soccer officer Khaled El-Ahmad.
Colleges
November 29, 2023
Hakeem Morgan’s late goal against the University of Chicago last weekend sent St. Olaf to the Final Four.

Neal: This squad, from Minnesota and all over, is off to the Final Four

St. Paul's Justin Oliver coaches a "melting pot" team at St. Olaf with talented players from places near and far. The Oles will be trying to win their first national championship later this week.
Sports
November 22, 2023
Turkey of the Year: Time to sharpen the knives.

Patrick Reusse's 2023 Turkey of the Year winner is ...

Come for the sides, stay for the Turkey. The traditional feast is here.
Loons
November 15, 2023
Shari Ballard was named Minnesota United CEO on Aug. 10, 2021.

Minnesota United CEO Ballard says GM El-Ahmad will be worth the wait

Loons General Manager Khaled El-Ahmad is under contract with an English club through next summer, which could affect the timeline for the hiring of a new head coach.
Gophers
November 14, 2023
Charlie Lawrence during the 2021 Twin Cities Marathon.

Former Gophers runner Lawrence sets world record in 50-mile race

Charlie Lawrence's pending world mark came at the Tunnel Hill 50-mile in Illinois.
Loons
November 9, 2023
Minnesota United midfielder Emanuel Reynoso scored on a penalty kick against Colorado on Aug. 30 at Allianz Field.

Minnesota United returning to Coachella Valley Invitational in February

The Loons will play exhibition games in California, as they did last preseason in MLS' version of spring training.
Loons
November 8, 2023
Khaled El-Ahmad was named Minnesota United’s new Sporting Director and Chief Soccer Officer on Monday.

Loons hire Khaled El-Ahmad from England as chief soccer officer

The Loons filled their vacant general manager's post with Khaled El-Ahmad, who had been CEO and Sporting Director for Barnsley in England's League One.
Loons
November 3, 2023
Minnesota United midfielder Kervin Arriaga is one of four Loons with a team option for 2024.

Quickest offseason in sports: 11 dates to know for Minnesota United

The Loons are in a holding pattern now, preparing to hire a new general manager and a new coach. But once things get moving, a lot will happen fast.
Sports
November 3, 2023

Messi's Ballon d'Or will be celebrated by Inter Miami in exhibition vs. NYCFC on Nov. 10

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will play an exhibition match on Nov. 10 to celebrate him winning his eighth Ballon d'Or.
High Schools
November 1, 2023
Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa, SPA reach 1A boys soccer final

Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa, SPA reach 1A boys soccer final

The title game won't include top seed St. Cloud Cathedral, which suffered its first loss of 2023.
High Schools
November 1, 2023
Goal in 99th minute sends top seed Orono to Class 2A boys soccer final

Goal in 99th minute sends top seed Orono to Class 2A boys soccer final

The Spartans defeated DeLaSalle when Lisle Cherwien scored during the second overtime.
High Schools
November 1, 2023
Tyler Baker (17) and his Wayzata teammates celebrated his overtime penalty kick that won Wednesday’s Class 3A semifinal.

Path to 3A boys soccer final goes to OT for Wayzata, Maple Grove

Wayzata defeated Woodbury on a penalty kick, and Maple Grove turned back Park of Cottage Grove with a rally and overtime finish.
High Schools
October 31, 2023
St. Paul Academy takes out the top seed in Class 1A girls soccer semifinals

St. Paul Academy takes out the top seed in Class 1A girls soccer semifinals

Sawyer Bollinger Danielson scored three second-half goals, propelling the Spartans past Providence Academy.
High Schools
October 31, 2023
Players celebrate on the field after Holy Angels Stars forward Audrey Garton (9), far right, scores against Totino-Grace in the second half of a State

Holy Angels and Benilde-St. Margaret's roll into Class 2A girls soccer final

The Stars surged away from Totino-Grace in the semifinals, and the Red Knights routed Winona.
High Schools
October 31, 2023
Wayzata Trojans forward Grace Estby (13) scores off a header against Maple Grove in the first half of a State Class 3A girls soccer semifinal match at

The Class 3A girls soccer final looks like this: Perfect vs. nearly perfect

Edina defeated Andover in a semifinal and remains undefeated. Wayzata topped Maple Grove and has one loss — to Edina.
October 31, 2023

Holy Angels, Benilde-St. Margaret's reach Class 2A girls soccer final

The Stars surged away from Totino-Grace in the semifinals, and the Red Knights routed Winona.
High Schools
October 31, 2023
Apple Valley senior Victor Espinoza Lopez, who opposing coaches regarded as a special talent, made the Star Tribune All-Metro first team.

24 who stood out: Meet the 2023 All-Metro boys soccer teams

After considering the regular season and hearing from coaches, we present the metro's top two dozen players.