The Loony Bin
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loonybinpodcast.bsky.social
The Loony Bin
@loonybinpodcast.bsky.social
A podcast dedicated to expanding #MNUFC fandom, one newbie, or Loonlet, at a time.

Host: Dan Elias (@oyvey2you.bsky.social)
Agent of Chaos: Loonlet Matt Leaf (@mnloonlet.bsky.social)

Email us: theloonybinpod (at) gmail.com

#COYL
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“86: As 2026 Season Ends, We Hope You Watched With Friends” is live!

We talk about the loss to San Diego that put an end to a mostly successful season and highlighted #MNUFC’s current ceiling and we start our planning early for next year's away travel.

Happy Thanksgiving all!
The Loony Bin Podcast - Dedicated to expanding the fandom of MNUFC one newbie, or loonlet, at a time.
We are a podcast dedicated to expanding Minnesota United fandom one newbie, or Loonlet, at a time. Join us weekly (during the season) as Dan Elias, host (and fully grown Loon),  and Matt Leaf, co-host (and Loonlet), cover game highlights and the latest Loon Droppings with down-to-earth analysis and, if you ask them, the wittiest of banter.
Theloonybinpod.com
Thankful to the players leaving. Thankful for the players staying. Thankful for our listeners. Thankful for the great local coverage from @andygreder.bsky.social, @jonmarthaler.com, @northlandsoccer.com, and all the other content creators out there. Thankful for #MNUFC.
November 27, 2025 at 4:25 PM
“86: As 2026 Season Ends, We Hope You Watched With Friends” is live!

We talk about the loss to San Diego that put an end to a mostly successful season and highlighted #MNUFC’s current ceiling and we start our planning early for next year's away travel.

Happy Thanksgiving all!
The Loony Bin Podcast - Dedicated to expanding the fandom of MNUFC one newbie, or loonlet, at a time.
We are a podcast dedicated to expanding Minnesota United fandom one newbie, or Loonlet, at a time. Join us weekly (during the season) as Dan Elias, host (and fully grown Loon),  and Matt Leaf, co-host (and Loonlet), cover game highlights and the latest Loon Droppings with down-to-earth analysis and, if you ask them, the wittiest of banter.
Theloonybinpod.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:36 PM
An actual hold-up #9 and slam dunks on set pieces? Doesn’t have speed to get in behind but with actual wingers (Bongi and Michel), #MNUFC should absolutely make a phone call.
As expected, D.C. United declines Christian Benteke’s contract option, making him a free agent, but “we remain in discussions regarding a potential return.”

DCU also declines options on Kristian Fletcher, Randall Leal, Derek Dodson and Rida Zouhir but in talks with Fletcher.
November 26, 2025 at 4:32 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: They hit no twine, no extra time, it was after dark, without enough bark

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
Officiating is an epic MLS after dark acomplice. Loons hit the twine but struggle late. Loons lose in extra time.
November 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: JJ catching strays for days

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
JJ Mccarthy doesn’t play for the Loons, so we’re winners even if we lose. A couple of dirty goals steal the game for Loons.
November 25, 2025 at 3:58 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: It was a low stress game, relatively speaking

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
Loons repeat September's score and keep it a stress-free match to win 3-1.
November 25, 2025 at 3:57 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: Instead of Dayne, a plane takes Loons home for offseason

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
Loons desperately hold a 1-0 lead nearly the entire second half but give up a heartbreaking stoppage goal. Stays tied through extra time and Dayne takes use home with two saves in PKs. Loons win 1-1 (4-3).
November 25, 2025 at 3:56 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: Dammit David!

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
November 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: Sicko-soccer pause commence … for now

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
Road trip win. Long throws, Markanich headers, Yeboah getting fouled, Nectar shooting from midline, Wil Trapp everywhere, Boxy being bossy in the box, DSC saving our ass when we need it. You know - a normal sicko soccer Loons win.

Moving right along to VAN.
kermit the frog and fozzie bear are sitting in a car
ALT: kermit the frog and fozzie bear are sitting in a car
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: When darkness falls upon the land, we count on rhyming words from Beckstrand

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
When darkness falls across the land
The midnight hour is close at hand

And Set Piece Goals from the Loons
Are closing in to seal SDFC's doom
And though you fight to stay awake
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
A Monday Night #MLSAfterDark thriller
November 25, 2025 at 3:52 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: Always tough when exiting through exits

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
0-0 into extra time. Then Dreyers drops a dime of a cross and San Diego score on an exhausted #MNUFC.

Tough way to exit.
November 25, 2025 at 3:25 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: Does not getting crushed count as a win?

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
I fear the worst, getting crushed... but somehow I just need to keep watching and hope. 3-1 Minnesota. Dreyer and Chuky outdueled by... oh who cares if we just win.
November 25, 2025 at 3:24 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: Soccer … amirite?

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
Goals will change the game
November 25, 2025 at 3:23 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: Your memory is impeccable but your worry was warranted

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
I’m worried about this one but if I can’t predict a win, I’d rather not predict at all. (Though usually I just forget to make a prediction. COYL!)
November 25, 2025 at 3:22 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: I’m not grumpy, you’re grumpy

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
2-1 Loons Yeboah gets hot and the mid-field steps up as well.

We are all grumpy tomorrow for staying up too late on a school night.
November 25, 2025 at 3:20 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: That field was garbage and it’s hosting another game in 5 days … sad

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
The grimiest, scariest game on an abused field from the weekends events, with the post as player of the match. Bongi scores the dumbest last minute goal for an improbable 1-0 win
November 25, 2025 at 3:20 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: Always prophecy from the heart, Bill. It’s the only way to prophecy …

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
I will go with my heart and not my logical mind here:

Yeboah is finally fit. He scores one from open play. Markanich gets one on a set piece, as yet another team fails to mark him. San Diego gets one on a rare breakdown (but, in a change of form, not in the first five minutes). Loons win 2-1.
November 25, 2025 at 3:19 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: 60% of the time, Robin Lod scores that goal every time

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
SD will have 60%+ possession. Anchorman taught us that 60% of the time the strategy works every time. But just as Sex Panther repelled Rebecca, Loons repel SDFC. Loons barely survive opening 20. Score before half. SD ties it in the 2nd. Loons get a late set piece goal, hold on 2-1. (Had to edit lol)
November 25, 2025 at 3:17 PM
MN-Prophecy Rating: Wrong team did the “SMASH AND GRAB”

(Thanks for your Prophecies this season, they will be back!)
SD is too stuck in their ways to give the Loons the ball, which can only mean one thing....

SMASH AND GRAB!!! LOONS MOVE ON. TEAM OF DESTINY.

LOONS VS NYCFC AT ALLIANZ IN DECEMBER. BRING IT.
November 25, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Recording tomorrow evening likely, episode should drop by Wednesday.

Was a fun season for #MNUFC and they put up a fight tonight. Lots to improve on and lots to build around.

Only 89 days until the first game of the 2026 season. COYL!
November 25, 2025 at 5:30 AM
And finally, it’s our Monday lunchtime #MNUFC reading material … just 10 more hours until kickoff!

👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
#MNUFC is into the Western Conference semifinals - despite being in perhaps its worst stretch of the year.

A look at where the Loons are at - and how they got their best result of the stretch run, a 3-1 win in San Diego, where they play tonight:
www.startribune.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Is it the end of the road for #MNUFC or the start of a new chapter? We’ve waited long enough, the Loons play in the Western Conference Semifinal tonight!

What’s your MN-Prophecy for what will happen after dark in San Diego tonight?
a group of men in suits are dancing in front of a building .
ALT: a group of men in suits are dancing in front of a building .
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:54 PM
And now it’s our Sunday (why haven’t #MNUFC played yet) reading material … only 29+ more hours until kick off …

👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
November 23, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Definitely not predicting a win, there’s no way it would be a dominant win. Hoping they keep it close and then you never know what can happen late.

After beating Seattle, #MNUFC is playing with house money.
We haven’t seen a dominant MNUFC win in months. And yeah, I love the optimism from @loonybinpodcast.bsky.social, but the truth is harsh: the Loons are basically powered by lucky bounces right now.

It’s fun—don’t get me wrong—but it doesn’t exactly scream “deep playoff run.”
November 23, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Update update: the post hates LAFC AND Seattle. The post just wants to help bring fresh life into the MLS Cup Playoffs and #MNUFC and Vancouver fans are here for it!
Update: the post just hates LAFC
THE POST HATES DENNY BOUANGA
November 23, 2025 at 6:38 PM