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Mark

@markoftheeast.bsky.social

270 followers 310 following 1.5K posts

Let's talk about writing, books, MN sports, politics, art, science, philosophy, and, most importantly, puns. Living in New England, still feel Minnesotan. Sometimes have fever dreams about Jabberjaw.

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Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 2d

Never want to be the butt of the joke when you’re in charge of graphics. Now if you’re just in charge of being graphic, different story. Feel free to crack a joke.

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 2d

So, obviously, getting up to even 3rd would be great—play Austin/ Portland/ Dallas. Those teams can beat MN, but still better matchup than Doyle FC (Sea).

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 2d

Loons lose tiebreakers to both Van and SD. To pass Van, Loons must win final match & have Van lose at Orl & home to Dal. To pass SD, Loons must win & have SD lose at Port (best chance). LAFC is 5 pts back of MN but has 4 matches left (1 tonight). If Loons finish 4th, likely play Sea (5th). #MNUFC

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

I wrote about the Loons, their uneven play at home this season, a refreshing destruction of SKC, and what it all might mean for the playoffs. #MNUFC open.substack.com/pub/markslei...

Dispatches from the Looniverse

After a season of uneven play at home, the Loons end on a high note. What does it mean for the playoffs?

open.substack.com

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Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

The birth of Minnesota Cookus

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Have the Vikings finally found their qb?

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Is it possible nameplates just entered the portal??

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Loons score three home goals … in this economy??

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Loons finally provide home fans with a comfortable win. Loons clinch at least 4th place, and home field for the first round series (gm 1 and gm 3, if necessary). #MNUFC

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Duggan essentially playing an attacking mid is surprisingly fun TV. Clean sheet 5 min of added time away. #MNUFC

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Dotson comes on for what might be his final action at Allianz as a Loon. 10 to go. Ref just let a two handed shove in the back go uncalled. She wants this match over as much as SKC. #MNUFC

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

A couple breaks here as DSC has been beaten cleanly twice—once off the bar, and now just wide. Nothing he could do on either. #MNUFC

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Midwest Messi should not play another second of this match. Need him ready for Decision Day and the playoffs. 20+ to go. SKC wants to give up a counterattack goal so badly. Loons should oblige as goal differential could be important (see SD). #MNUFC

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Midwest Messi again! Duggan denied on a recycled set piece. Triantis who has been very good, sends in another cross. 3-0. (Bizarrely, it was about this time SKC came back from 3-0 the first match.) #MNUFC

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

There it is! Pereyra sets up Lod who is denied again, but Pereyra pounces on the rebound from a tough angle. Not exactly teaching tape from SKC in goal tonight. 2-0. 30+ to go. #MNUFC

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Loons close to a 2nd. That extra touch by Lod meant he only had one option—chip. Couldn’t get enough on it. Better passing and movement by the Loons. Still need that insurance goal as Joveljic is still out there and just needs one chance. #MNUFC

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Big IFs … but IF the Loons win and Hou beats SD (up 1-0), Loons would pass SD and with each team having only 1 gm left, would be able to finish ahead with a win. That would leave Van/ LAFC the only 2 clubs that Loons need help to pass. Long ways to go still.

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Shaky end to the half by the Loons. Toye with a great chance. Good time for the whistle. Loons need to find that 2nd goal. Relatively speaking, United had the ball in the final third a fair amount but still struggled to unlock the defense. Triantis had a strong half. #MNUFC

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Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

SKC has done nothing all night … until Toye gets in alone and DSC bails out United. Boxy beaten cleanly. Woukd have been yet another right before the end of the half killer. Pay DSC his money, Dr Bill! #MNUFC

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Bongi upset that Rosales didn’t cross on his run into the box, ends up with one of the angrier, funnier offside tap ins. A rare quality buildup wasted there. Should have fired in the cross.. Better process at least. #MNUFC

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Midwest Messi with the opener off a brilliant set piece delivery from Pereyra. Bit of a fortunate bounce but the Loons needed that. 1-0. #MNUFC

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Hail State??

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Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Loons final regular season home match tonight. Good news? A point clinches at least 4th in the West & home field in the first round. Not so good news? Even if they get all 6 pts to close the season, Loons need help from others to beat out LAFC, Van, and/or SD to finish in the top 3. #MNUFC

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Those PSU fans who took a vacay to visit the Rose Bowl are not booing, they In saying Bruuuuuuu-ins.

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Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 3d

Playing vs the Kansas side of KC, Loons have learned, in a bad way, there is no place like home (1 win in previous 6 hm matches). But against the fmr Wizards, Loons rediscover magic and win 2-0. Fans are uneasy to open the match until MN gets a recycled set piece goal. Add another late. #MNUFC