No one likes to play against Minnesota United.
Erik Ramsay’s men make it hard on the opposition, no matter how many stars they throw at them. These 2025 Loons are built on an identity of firm defensive principles, swift and dangerous transitions and an irresistible array of set-pieces. This identity, adopted and bought-into squad-wide and adored by the club’s fans, has seen the St. Paul-based club become the toast of the Sicko-Ball Soccer Avant-Garde.
“There’s a bunch of ways to win football matches and our style of play is working for us,” said captain Michael Boxall, the New Zealand international who’s been with the club since 2017 when Minnesota United were more a punchline in MLS than multi-front title contenders.
“Everyone’s bought into our defensive identity,” added Boxall, who, in addition to being a ferocious defender and keen on-field organizer, is also the team’s long-throw-in specialist. “Everyone does the work in this team. Our strikers defend more than any strikers in the league, and that’s where it all starts.
The Loons, devoid of traditional stars, have landed in the Semifinals of the 2025 U.S. Open Cup, and, from a perch of second in MLS’ Western Conference, are firm contenders for a rare League-Cup double.
Winning ‘Ugly’ and Staying Together
“You hear a lot of teams preach about keeping possession all day – controlling the ball,” added Boxall, who, along with Robin Lod, is a survivor from the MNUFC team that reached the Open Cup Final of 2019. “A lot of those teams are below us in the league table looking up.”
To Boxall’s point, exactly 13 teams in MLS’ West are now looking up at the Loons. And there’s plenty of former MLS Champions and flash-bang Superclubs among those admiring from below.
Minnesota United does it their way, and their way works. They pulled off a thrilling 3-1 win on the road over Western Conference leaders San Diego FC this weekend – the last league game before focus turns to the Open Cup Semifinal against Austin FC on Wednesday (LIVE at 8:30PM ET on Paramount+ and on air at CBS Sports Network). It was a comprehensive win – earned with five shots on target to San Diego’s 14 (6 shots to 28 overall) and half the possession of their hosts (33% to 67%).
