Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · 12h

Direct link to An American Game podcast. Cannot emphasize enough how entertaining and informative this podcast is.
anamericangame.buzzsprout.com/2519329/epis...

AN AMERICAN GAME

Some say that soccer is an American game. Okay, Tom McCabe and Kirk Rudell say that, and it might sound weird if you’re an American soccer fan, and you’ve spent your whole life having to prove you kno...

anamericangame.buzzsprout.com

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Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · 12h

The US is and has been a soccer nation despite what you have been told by US Soccer and even Don Garber.
Soccer was in New Jersey before Brazil
US had a pro league before Italy or Spain
An American Game podcast tell these amazing and entertaining stories told by @soccertownmedia.bsky.social

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Reposted by Brian Quarstad

Tom Elko @tomelko.bsky.social · 14d

Fun story featuring @brianquarstad.bsky.social!

It’s Joncacaf @jonarnoldfc.bsky.social · 14d

Minnesota loves its loons. No, really. A lot.

While it seems like a no-brainer in hindsight, the state bird was the perfect uniting symbol for #MNUFC from its launch through the present.

I spoke to Dr. Bill McGuire, Brian Quarstad & a loon expert to learn more: www.mlssoccer.com/news/minneso...

Minnesota United FC: Uniting the state through an iconic symbol | MLSSoccer.com

Maybe you just have to be from Minnesota to really get it. Plenty of soccer teams have a pregame ritual. A cherished old pop song here. A boom-boom clap there. Minnesota United, though, kick off with ...

www.mlssoccer.com

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Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jul 23

With as many players who have been injured or the team has loaned or transferred out, on top of the clear weaknesses/lack of depth the Loons have, if they only come away with 2 additions this transfer period it will be hard to take the team seriously regarding ambition to compete.

Andy Greder @andygreder.bsky.social · Jul 22

Primer »

#MNUFC had a high-quality team
in prime positions to finish the MLS season/cup tournaments, but one weakness sticks out.

Will #Loons seize the moment and make a splash in the summer transfer window?
www.twincities.com/2025/07/22/w...

Will Minnesota United make a splash in the summer transfer window?

The Loons, solidly in postseason contention, have the roster flexibility to address a need in midfield.

www.twincities.com

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Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jul 19

That was a day. I remember the panic in his voice.
Great memory. Thanks.

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Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jul 14

Amazing. I knew you when.

Jeff Rueter @jeffrueter.bsky.social · Jul 13

Quick programming note: I’ll be on NBC Nightly News tonight (6:30p ET/5:30p CT) talking FIFA, lessons from the Club World Cup, and what to expect at next summer’s men’s World Cup.

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Reposted by Brian Quarstad

John Muller @johnspacemuller.com · Jul 9

Minnesota United became the most aggressive set-piece team on the planet with old-fashioned tactics backed by new analytics — and now they can’t stop scoring from it.

My first for The Guardian:

The most aggressive set-piece team in the world plays in Minnesota

Under the guidance of a former Manchester United assistant, Minnesota United are finding MLS success with a surprising tactic

www.theguardian.com

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Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jul 3

This morning on the back side of the Como Park lakeside pavilion, St. Paul, MN.

Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jul 1

@ussoccerhistory.org has been uncovering and bringing you some of the earliest soccer footage of games played in the US this past week. Now @brianbunk.bsky.social uncovers the world's earliest soccer film with sound. An ASL match from 1927 played in Brooklyn. www.ussoccerhistory.org/the-worlds-e...

The world’s earliest soccer film with sound

The 1927 film captures an uneventful match between unremarkable ASL teams at the end of a mediocre half-season. Yet, it is a milestone in the history of soccer.

www.ussoccerhistory.org

Reposted by Brian Quarstad

Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · Jul 1

I wrote about the world's earliest soccer film with sound. Contains a link to the footage so you can watch and listen to highlights of an American Soccer League match from 1927.

www.ussoccerhistory.org/the-worlds-e...

The world’s earliest soccer film with sound

The 1927 film captures an uneventful match between unremarkable ASL teams at the end of a mediocre half-season. Yet, it is a milestone in the history of soccer.

www.ussoccerhistory.org

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Reposted by Brian Quarstad

Society for American Soccer History @ussoccerhistory.org · Jul 1

Interested in U.S. soccer history? If so, consider becoming a SASH member.

Your $20 yearly membership fee helps support SASH's efforts to promote, facilitate & disseminate research into the rich history of U.S. soccer. For more info, please visit our website:
www.ussoccerhistory.org/store/sash-m...

SASH Membership

Annual SASH Membership

www.ussoccerhistory.org

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Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jun 30

My perspective of @USMNT Damion Downs game winning PK at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, on Sunday to defeat Costa Rica and move on the @GoldCup semifinals on Wednesday in St. Louis.

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Reposted by Brian Quarstad

Jeff Rueter @jeffrueter.bsky.social · Jun 30

NEW: While Matt Turner can't get club games, Matt Freese's strong MLS form led to this Gold Cup shot. He's rewarded Pochettino's trust, with PK heroics vaulting the USMNT into the Gold Cup semifinal.

"I kept repeating to myself: ‘I want another, I want another.’"
www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...

With USMNT GK role in flux, Freese stops Costa Rica cold with PK heroics

With the U.S. goalkeeping position unsettled and the team in need of a morale boost, Matt Freese stepped into the limelight

www.nytimes.com

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Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jun 30

I would equate the Calvo pull to the Boxall push.

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Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jun 30

A wonderful book which includes two chapters about early Minnesota soccer.

Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · Jun 10

Today is the official publication day of my new book: Beyond the Field. How Soccer Built Community in the United States. It tells the stories of less well known soccer communities around the USA

A 3D image of the cover of the book Beyond the Field how Soccer Built Community in the United States. A black and white photo of a soccer team is on the cover and it has a green background with the outline of a soccer field

Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jun 29

Speaking of bad looks, it’s my belief this is what he got the red card for.

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Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jun 20

And we are under way at Metronome Brewing with Peter Kogan Jazz quintet. @tcjazzfestival

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Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jun 20

Tina Schlieske in Mears Park in Lowertown, St. Paul for Twin Cities Jazz Festival. It feels like summer even though it doesn’t start until tomorrow. Bring it on.

Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jun 20

The last days of Big River Pizza. 🍕 Sad to see it go. Lowertown is happening again tonight with Music in Mears Park, a St Paul Saints game and Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Makes me nostalgic.Why can’t St. Paul have nice things too.

Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jun 16

Society for American Soccer History releases earliest surviving footage of soccer played in the United States, Nov 13, 1921.
Film is 1st publicly viewed footage from famous director Frank Capra. Teams are SF's Italia Virtus club v crew from Italian cruiser Libia. youtu.be/Bt37Kma097s

From 1921: San Francisco's Italia Virtus soccer team plays crew team from cruiser RM Libia

YouTube video by Society for American Soccer History

youtu.be

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Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jun 13

That's fantastic. 😆 My partners late uncle co-created the game Twister but never received much for it.

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Reposted by Brian Quarstad

FootyCon @footycon.bsky.social · Jun 13

To round out session #5 of #footycon25 on day 1, @garyjames.bsky.social is showing us a short film on his recent research into the Manchester Corinthians he’s published his book on, with testimonies from the Corinthians themselves

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Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · Jun 13

Really excellent article on why property taxes have shifted more heavily in recent years to residential homeowners in both Minneapolis and St. Paul.
www.startribune.com/twin-cities-...

Twin Cities tax burden is shifting, and it’s not just from declining downtown values

Assessment trends in Minnesota’s two largest cities reflect the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and high interest rates in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

www.startribune.com

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Reposted by Brian Quarstad

Andy Greder @andygreder.bsky.social · May 20

#MNUFC preview vs. St. Louis:

After United’s 3-0 blowout win Saturday, these two sides meet again in U.S. Open Cup 👍 Darius Randell was a starlet in #USOC2025 vs. Louisville ⚽️ Who plays for #Loons will be telling ⁉️

Plus, a schedule update and a match prediction:
www.twincities.com/2025/05/20/l...

Loons vs. St. Louis City: Keys to match, updates and a prediction

Minnesota United vs. St. Louis City What: U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Where: Allianz Field Stream: Paramount+ Weather: Rain, 48 degrees, 6 mph south wind Form: MNUFC blew ou…

www.twincities.com

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Brian Quarstad @brianquarstad.bsky.social · May 15

Ramsay made 8 changes to our lineup to sink us away against lowly Houston.