Andy Greder
@andygreder.bsky.social
Sportswriter at St. Paul Pioneer Press on #Gophers and #MNUFC beats
Story: #Gophers men’s basketball team and sick kids form bond in new “Ski-U-Mah Strong” program.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/07/g...
www.twincities.com/2026/02/07/g...
Men’s basketball: Gophers and patients form bond in new program
Gophers men’s basketball fans should not be surprised on Sunday when point guard Isaac Asuma’s No. 1 jersey has a unfamiliar name across his back for the Big Ten game against Maryland at Williams A…
www.twincities.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Story: #Gophers men’s basketball team and sick kids form bond in new “Ski-U-Mah Strong” program.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/07/g...
www.twincities.com/2026/02/07/g...
Summary: #MNUFC 3, Kansas City 0 in first preseason friendly. Anthony Markanich picks up where he left off in 2025 with a brace. In debut, Tomas Chancalay has nice chipped cross to set up Ant's first. Dom Fitz remains out with "medical condition." #Loons still need a right back in transfer window.
February 7, 2026 at 11:33 PM
February 7, 2026 at 10:04 PM
"Come to the least-expected place."
Story: How #MNUFC was able to sign Colombian superstar James Rodriguez. The #Loons provide James a chance to play his No. 10 role going into the World Cup, while United doesn't break the bank for the 34-year-old.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/06/h...
Story: How #MNUFC was able to sign Colombian superstar James Rodriguez. The #Loons provide James a chance to play his No. 10 role going into the World Cup, while United doesn't break the bank for the 34-year-old.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/06/h...
How Minnesota United was able to sign superstar James Rodriguez
The pitch to the Colombian international: “Come to the least-expected place.”
www.twincities.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:24 PM
"Come to the least-expected place."
Story: How #MNUFC was able to sign Colombian superstar James Rodriguez. The #Loons provide James a chance to play his No. 10 role going into the World Cup, while United doesn't break the bank for the 34-year-old.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/06/h...
Story: How #MNUFC was able to sign Colombian superstar James Rodriguez. The #Loons provide James a chance to play his No. 10 role going into the World Cup, while United doesn't break the bank for the 34-year-old.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/06/h...
News story: James Rodriguez is officially a member of #MNUFC, but how long will the Colombian star midfielder be with #Loons?
Plus, statements from James and United chief soccer officer Khaled El-Ahmad on the big signing.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/06/h...
Plus, statements from James and United chief soccer officer Khaled El-Ahmad on the big signing.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/06/h...
How long will James Rodriguez be with Minnesota United?
James Rodriguez has officially joined Minnesota United. The star midfielder arrived in St. Paul on Thursday and has signed a contract with the Loons through June, which will get the Colombian talis…
www.twincities.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:55 PM
News story: James Rodriguez is officially a member of #MNUFC, but how long will the Colombian star midfielder be with #Loons?
Plus, statements from James and United chief soccer officer Khaled El-Ahmad on the big signing.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/06/h...
Plus, statements from James and United chief soccer officer Khaled El-Ahmad on the big signing.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/06/h...
Quote: James Rodriguez statement on signing with #MNUFC:
“I’m very happy for this new chapter in my life. I hope to be at my best so I can bring joy to this city and to all of the people who are putting their faith in me. I’m looking forward to meeting all of the passionate Minnesota fans.”
“I’m very happy for this new chapter in my life. I hope to be at my best so I can bring joy to this city and to all of the people who are putting their faith in me. I’m looking forward to meeting all of the passionate Minnesota fans.”
February 6, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Quote: James Rodriguez statement on signing with #MNUFC:
“I’m very happy for this new chapter in my life. I hope to be at my best so I can bring joy to this city and to all of the people who are putting their faith in me. I’m looking forward to meeting all of the passionate Minnesota fans.”
“I’m very happy for this new chapter in my life. I hope to be at my best so I can bring joy to this city and to all of the people who are putting their faith in me. I’m looking forward to meeting all of the passionate Minnesota fans.”
Detail: James Rodriguez and #MNUFC have agreed to a “guaranteed contract through June, with a club option through December 2026,” the club said Friday.
Context: James, 34, has goal of playing for Colombia in World Cup and his future with #Loons after that is to be determined.
Context: James, 34, has goal of playing for Colombia in World Cup and his future with #Loons after that is to be determined.
February 6, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Open up the flight tracker …
News story: Colombian star midfielder James Rodriguez is en route to Minnesota on Thursday to finalize a short-term contract with #MNUFC.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/05/l...
News story: Colombian star midfielder James Rodriguez is en route to Minnesota on Thursday to finalize a short-term contract with #MNUFC.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/05/l...
Loons finalizing deal for Colombian star James Rodriguez
The exact length of his short-term contract is not yet known, but it is presumably through at least the mid-summer FIFA World Cup break.
www.twincities.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Open up the flight tracker …
News story: Colombian star midfielder James Rodriguez is en route to Minnesota on Thursday to finalize a short-term contract with #MNUFC.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/05/l...
News story: Colombian star midfielder James Rodriguez is en route to Minnesota on Thursday to finalize a short-term contract with #MNUFC.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/05/l...
Confirmed: #MNUFC will be finalizing deal soon with Colombian star midfielder James Rodriguez, a source told @pioneerpress.bsky.social Thursday. @tombogert.bsky.social first
Context: Rodriguez will not be Designated Player and will come to Minnesota on short-term deal. How short is to be revealed
Context: Rodriguez will not be Designated Player and will come to Minnesota on short-term deal. How short is to be revealed
February 5, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Confirmed: #MNUFC will be finalizing deal soon with Colombian star midfielder James Rodriguez, a source told @pioneerpress.bsky.social Thursday. @tombogert.bsky.social first
Context: Rodriguez will not be Designated Player and will come to Minnesota on short-term deal. How short is to be revealed
Context: Rodriguez will not be Designated Player and will come to Minnesota on short-term deal. How short is to be revealed
Story: #Gophers are mired in a long losing streak, but there is now one underlying positive that wasn’t there when Minnesota’s season went downhill last season.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/03/g...
www.twincities.com/2026/02/03/g...
Men’s basketball: Gophers underlying positive amid long losing streak
Minnesota has lost seven straight games heading into Wednesday Big Ten bout against No. 10 Michigan State.
www.twincities.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Story: #Gophers are mired in a long losing streak, but there is now one underlying positive that wasn’t there when Minnesota’s season went downhill last season.
www.twincities.com/2026/02/03/g...
www.twincities.com/2026/02/03/g...
Question: Can #MNUFC complete the shocking signing of James Rodriguez?
Context: Colombian playmaker and #Loons connection made by @tombogert.bsky.social and others Tuesday. It would obviously be a huge addition, but United has been in this spot with others recently and haven’t gotten deals done.
Context: Colombian playmaker and #Loons connection made by @tombogert.bsky.social and others Tuesday. It would obviously be a huge addition, but United has been in this spot with others recently and haven’t gotten deals done.
February 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Question: Can #MNUFC complete the shocking signing of James Rodriguez?
Context: Colombian playmaker and #Loons connection made by @tombogert.bsky.social and others Tuesday. It would obviously be a huge addition, but United has been in this spot with others recently and haven’t gotten deals done.
Context: Colombian playmaker and #Loons connection made by @tombogert.bsky.social and others Tuesday. It would obviously be a huge addition, but United has been in this spot with others recently and haven’t gotten deals done.
Update: At #MNUFC training on Wednesday, midfielder Nectar Triantis had rejoined the team after a personal leave and was participating with group. Meanwhile, mid Dominik Fitz was not involved. Club said he has an "unspecified medical condition that will not affect him long-term."
January 30, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Update: At #MNUFC training on Wednesday, midfielder Nectar Triantis had rejoined the team after a personal leave and was participating with group. Meanwhile, mid Dominik Fitz was not involved. Club said he has an "unspecified medical condition that will not affect him long-term."
“People are scared; we are, too.”
Article: Federal immigration raids in Minnesota has put 'fear' into #MNUFC players; and the situation has curtailed #Loons signings of foreigners this winter. Argentine midfielder Joaquin Pereyra shares his experiences and views.
www.twincities.com/2026/01/29/l...
Article: Federal immigration raids in Minnesota has put 'fear' into #MNUFC players; and the situation has curtailed #Loons signings of foreigners this winter. Argentine midfielder Joaquin Pereyra shares his experiences and views.
www.twincities.com/2026/01/29/l...
Federal immigration raids put ‘fear’ into many Minnesota United players
The Loons also have had foreign players say no to contracts because of the current situation.
www.twincities.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:24 PM
“People are scared; we are, too.”
Article: Federal immigration raids in Minnesota has put 'fear' into #MNUFC players; and the situation has curtailed #Loons signings of foreigners this winter. Argentine midfielder Joaquin Pereyra shares his experiences and views.
www.twincities.com/2026/01/29/l...
Article: Federal immigration raids in Minnesota has put 'fear' into #MNUFC players; and the situation has curtailed #Loons signings of foreigners this winter. Argentine midfielder Joaquin Pereyra shares his experiences and views.
www.twincities.com/2026/01/29/l...
Post: #Gophers coach Niko Medved feels lack of "respect" from #Badgers after 67-63 loss at Kohl Center on Wednesday.
"What would I expect in Madison, right?"
www.twincities.com/2026/01/29/g...
"What would I expect in Madison, right?"
www.twincities.com/2026/01/29/g...
Gophers’ Niko Medved calls out lack of ‘respect’ from Badgers
UMN head coach calls out “Nico” misspelling after loss in Madison, Wis.
www.twincities.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Post: #Gophers coach Niko Medved feels lack of "respect" from #Badgers after 67-63 loss at Kohl Center on Wednesday.
"What would I expect in Madison, right?"
www.twincities.com/2026/01/29/g...
"What would I expect in Madison, right?"
www.twincities.com/2026/01/29/g...
Article: #Gophers athletic department reports $2.4 million surplus, which is due, in part, to a huge boost in Big Ten media rights. That figure and other key numbers coming out of the U's financial report from the 2025 fiscal year.
www.twincities.com/2026/01/27/g...
www.twincities.com/2026/01/27/g...
Gophers report $2.4 million surplus due to Big Ten revenue jump
UMN projects a nearly $9 million budget shortfall next fiscal year.
www.twincities.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Article: #Gophers athletic department reports $2.4 million surplus, which is due, in part, to a huge boost in Big Ten media rights. That figure and other key numbers coming out of the U's financial report from the 2025 fiscal year.
www.twincities.com/2026/01/27/g...
www.twincities.com/2026/01/27/g...
Note: The University of Minnesota requests a moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. Monday to honor Alex Pretti.
Context: Pretti, a 2011 graduate of the U, was slain by federal immigration officials on Saturday. I’ve seen a few #Gophers players show support for Pretti on social media.
Context: Pretti, a 2011 graduate of the U, was slain by federal immigration officials on Saturday. I’ve seen a few #Gophers players show support for Pretti on social media.
January 26, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Note: The University of Minnesota requests a moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. Monday to honor Alex Pretti.
Context: Pretti, a 2011 graduate of the U, was slain by federal immigration officials on Saturday. I’ve seen a few #Gophers players show support for Pretti on social media.
Context: Pretti, a 2011 graduate of the U, was slain by federal immigration officials on Saturday. I’ve seen a few #Gophers players show support for Pretti on social media.
Article: How are Minnesota sports teams reacting to the second fatal DHS shooting in Minneapolis on Saturday?
#Wolves game postponed; #Twins Fest shortened; #Gophers Niko Medved's postgame comments; and Lynx’s Cheryl Reeve's strong stand on the subject.
www.twincities.com/2026/01/24/h...
#Wolves game postponed; #Twins Fest shortened; #Gophers Niko Medved's postgame comments; and Lynx’s Cheryl Reeve's strong stand on the subject.
www.twincities.com/2026/01/24/h...
How local teams are reacting to federal immigration actions in Minnesota
Another flashpoint in the federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota occurred roughly two hours before the Gophers men’s basketball team tipped off against Nebraska on Saturday. Gophers c…
www.twincities.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Article: How are Minnesota sports teams reacting to the second fatal DHS shooting in Minneapolis on Saturday?
#Wolves game postponed; #Twins Fest shortened; #Gophers Niko Medved's postgame comments; and Lynx’s Cheryl Reeve's strong stand on the subject.
www.twincities.com/2026/01/24/h...
#Wolves game postponed; #Twins Fest shortened; #Gophers Niko Medved's postgame comments; and Lynx’s Cheryl Reeve's strong stand on the subject.
www.twincities.com/2026/01/24/h...
Check-in: Former #MNUFC head coach Eric Ramsay and West Bromwich Albion get a 95th minute equalizer for 1-1 draw at Derby County on Friday.
Context: Ramsay and West Brom REALLY needed that result after two straight defeats to start his stint. They are now four points above the relegation zone.
Context: Ramsay and West Brom REALLY needed that result after two straight defeats to start his stint. They are now four points above the relegation zone.
January 23, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Check-in: Former #MNUFC head coach Eric Ramsay and West Bromwich Albion get a 95th minute equalizer for 1-1 draw at Derby County on Friday.
Context: Ramsay and West Brom REALLY needed that result after two straight defeats to start his stint. They are now four points above the relegation zone.
Context: Ramsay and West Brom REALLY needed that result after two straight defeats to start his stint. They are now four points above the relegation zone.
Story » Jaylen Crocker-Johnson has been rock solid for the #Gophers this season, especially in the last two weeks.
The junior transfer from Colorado State has bonded with Niko Medved and that close relationship could help keep the forward at the U next season.
www.twincities.com/2026/01/23/j...
The junior transfer from Colorado State has bonded with Niko Medved and that close relationship could help keep the forward at the U next season.
www.twincities.com/2026/01/23/j...
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson has been rock solid for Gophers
The U big man has been performing at a high level despite playing out of position.
www.twincities.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Story » Jaylen Crocker-Johnson has been rock solid for the #Gophers this season, especially in the last two weeks.
The junior transfer from Colorado State has bonded with Niko Medved and that close relationship could help keep the forward at the U next season.
www.twincities.com/2026/01/23/j...
The junior transfer from Colorado State has bonded with Niko Medved and that close relationship could help keep the forward at the U next season.
www.twincities.com/2026/01/23/j...
Question: #MLS said Thursday extending secondary transfer window into September "will align with top leagues from around the world," but, wait, wasn't that a primary reason given in the need to flip schedule and play over the winter, which is a detriment to clubs such as #MNUFC?
January 22, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Note: The #MLS primary transfer window will officially open Monday and close March 26; the secondary (or "summer") transfer window will open July 13 and close Sept. 2.
January 22, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Note: The #MLS primary transfer window will officially open Monday and close March 26; the secondary (or "summer") transfer window will open July 13 and close Sept. 2.
Confirmed: #MNUFC interested in signing Dutch right back Cherrion Valerius from NAC Breda in Eredivisie, a source told @pioneerpress.bsky.social on Thursday. Joost Blaauwhof had first.
Context: #Loons are in the market for new right back and can fill need with this 6-foot-4, 20-year-old prospect.
Context: #Loons are in the market for new right back and can fill need with this 6-foot-4, 20-year-old prospect.
January 22, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Confirmed: #MNUFC interested in signing Dutch right back Cherrion Valerius from NAC Breda in Eredivisie, a source told @pioneerpress.bsky.social on Thursday. Joost Blaauwhof had first.
Context: #Loons are in the market for new right back and can fill need with this 6-foot-4, 20-year-old prospect.
Context: #Loons are in the market for new right back and can fill need with this 6-foot-4, 20-year-old prospect.
Note: #MNUFC *again* leads #MLS in GAM (General Allocation Money) at $7.2 million, per the league.
Context: #Loons continue to have A LOT of roster flexibility, have been in mix for new players and still looking to bring in a few more. The season starts in one month, at Austin FC on Feb. 21.
Context: #Loons continue to have A LOT of roster flexibility, have been in mix for new players and still looking to bring in a few more. The season starts in one month, at Austin FC on Feb. 21.
January 21, 2026 at 4:33 PM