The Loony Bin Podcast

We have our first Loon or Loonlet trivia of the year to see if Matt can get over the 60% line. We check in on some overseas Ramsay rumors that may impact who's on the Loons' touchline in 2026. And we end with a bedtime story for all the Loonlets out there.    BlueSky: @loonybinpodcast.bsky.social Dan Elias (@oyvey2you.bsky.social) Matt Leaf (@mnloonlet.bsky.social) Email: theloonybinpod@gmail.com...

We're joined by the 2025 Loonlet of the Year, John Rynders, as we discuss our New Year's ResoLOONtions. We're saying goodbye to the Loon's all time leading goal-scorer, Robin Lod, who joins our future rival instead of staying with us. And I'll ask the guys how much money they're willing to spend for some super fancy Fort Lauderdale grass.   BlueSky: @loonybinpodcast.bsky.social Dan Elias (@oyvey2y...

We talk about the earth-shattering news that dropped this week … the Loons Coachella schedule. We dig into the cataclysmic news that just crossed our feeds … that Matus Kmet is on his way back. And we'll probably talk about some other things that happened that may or may not be currently making us nauseous.   (3:45) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (9:30) Quick Hits (26:05) Dayne Departs (59:25) Loon Droppi...

We start to get our panic on as the lack of news about a Dayne St. Clair contract has us both in our feelings. We congratulate Shari Ballard even if we haven't been able to interview her ourselves. And we wonder if maybe it's time that FIFA just changes soccer to a game of quarters instead of halves.    (3:05) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (9:30) Quick Hits (23:30) Peter Stroud Talk (29:25) Dayne Panic (...

We break down the World Cup draw and all the cringe that came with it. We let you know if we heard anything about Dayne's contract situation from the sources we don't have. And we'll give out our annual awards that are both straight-forward and a bit curved-backwards.    (7:10) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (12:00) MLS Cup Review (28:45) MNUFC Straight-Forward Awards (43:20) MNUFC Curved-Backwards Awards...

We review the best and worst moments of the 2025 season for our Loons. We discuss the end of year roster decisions and what they mean for 2026. And I ask Matt if violent conduct is still violent conduct when it's also friendly fire.   (5:00) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (12:40) End of Year Roster Decisions (28:25) Best and Worst Moments of 2025 (53:15) Loon Droppings    ------------------   BlueSky: @lo...

We talk about the loss to San Diego that put an end to a mostly successful season. We start our planning early for next year's away travel. And we'll take a look at what a roster might look like for those extra cold weather games that are coming our way.    (6:20) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (12:00) Quick Hits (23:00) San Diego Review (51:35) 2026 Schedule Release (59:30) Loon Droppings    ------------...

We're joined by Wes Burdine to break down what ended up being a very newsy week across MLS. We get you ready for the Western Conference Semifinal in San Diego that will AGAIN be played late on a Monday. And we'll take a peek at our holiday gift lists, wondering if anyone wrote down "mechanoreceptor" crocs.   (5:05) More Seattle Game 3 Review (13:00) MN Aurora Update (26:20) Midway/United Village/B...

We do everything we can to help you re-live that crazy and eventually AMAZING night at Allianz Field. We peak ahead to what lies around the corner for our Loons in the playoffs. And we'll brainstorm what someone should do with the NW corner of Snelling and University, after the CVS is inevitably is demolished.     (4:05) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (9:25) Quick Hits (17:40) Seattle Game 3 Review (1:19:...

We get into everything that happened during that Game 2 loss late last night. We review the most recent release of the team's salary numbers including how much the new guys are making. And we discuss where one should and should not place their jacket when peeing at a urinal.    (8:20) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (14:00) Quick Hits (28:50) Seattle Game 2 Review (48:15) Seattle Game 3 Preview (52:20) Loo...

We break down that Game 1 PK win thanks to Dayne and the post. We look ahead to Game 2 in Seattle that will definitely end past our bed times. And we'll congratulate the back to back winner of MLS Referee of the Year even if we do so begrudgingly.     (4:15) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (10:40) Quick Hits (23:15) Seattle Game One Review (51:15) Seattle Game Two Preview (55:45) Loon Droppings    --------...

The Loony Bin was honored to be joined by Loons defender Anthony Markanich. Thank you to Minnesota United for helping make this conversation happen.    Matt and Dan ask Anthony about his dogs, the scoring spree he's been on, and we try to figure out "How Minnesotan is Anthony."   ------------------   BlueSky: @loonybinpodcast.bsky.social   Dan Elias (@oyvey2you.bsky.social)   Matt Leaf (@mnloonlet...

We look back at that Decision Day dud from our Loons and how it didn't impact the Western Conference standings. We preview the Best-of-3 series against that soccer team from Seattle. And we introduce you to the MacGuffin Trophy, even though we've just learned it existed earlier this week.    (6:05) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (13:30) Quick Hits (22:35) LA Galaxy Decision Day Recap (47:20) Seattle Best-...

We have a discussion with Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press to go through some big talkers of the 2025 season. We get you caught up on the Western Conference standings that sees our Loons falling a little behind. And we'll celebrate the first professional goal of a former Loon even if it has been wiped away from the history books.    (7:30) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (15:45) Quick Hits (24:45) Andy Gre...

We look back at last night's home finale win on fan appreciation night that keeps our Loons in the Western Conference title race. We preview Decision Day in LA, in spite of it still being two full weeks away. And we check in on the newly released game ball for the 2026 World Cup, even if its "intentionally deep seems" seem intentionally intentional.   (7:20) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (15:20) Quick Hi...

We look back at the draw against Colorado that stopped the bleeding for our Loons (Thank you Nectar). We preview the last regular season home game of the season, the return leg of the Monarch Path Derby. And we're wondering what trophy the Loons win for having the most General Allocation Money … IN THE WORLD!   (5:00) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (12:20) Quick Hits (26:45) Colorado Rapids Recap (59:45)...

Misery loves company so we've asked Loonlet John Rynders back into the studio to help us grieve the last-second Open Cup loss to Austin and the regular season game against the Chicago Fire that sent us further into the dumps. And we have a nice long vent sesh, hoping it will make a feel just a wee bit better.    (7:30) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (16:15) Quick Hits (33:05) US Open Cup Austin Recap (57:...

We deep dive the trip to San Diego that has the Loons flying high. We look ahead to Austin's Open Cup visit to Allianz that will send one team to the final. And we're counting down the weeks until the 2026 World Cup, wondering if this might be a good time to have another kid.   (6:25) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (13:15) Quick Hits (24:10) San Diego Recap (46:45) US Open Cup Austin Preview (53:55) Chica...

We're joined by Jonathan Harrison, host of the Sound of the Loons Matchday Preview podcast and color commentator on the SKOR North Loons radio call, to get his takes on all things Minnesota United and MLS and he takes his chances with Loon or Loonlet trivia. We'll also give you an update on what happened to The Loony Bin sticker that we left on a urinal during last week's home match against Portla...

We have an interview with Jeff Rueter from The Athletic talking about the Loons summer transfer window, we talk about that Trapp pass and the Lod Finnish that salvaged a point against Portland, and we get you ready for a big game against San Diego, who sit just ahead of our team in 1st place in the West. Dedicated to Harper and Fletcher.    (8:05) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (14:55) Quick Hits (18:00)...

We recap three games that included two firsts for our Loons. We dig into the summer transfer window that brought in five new players, even if we had to wait until deadline day to get them done. And we'll say goodbye to at least one key Loon, who will break the record for most expensive outgoing transfer fee in team history.    (12:15) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (19:10) Transfer Window Recap (1:02:15)...

We put a bow on Minnesota United's 3rd year participating in the Leagues Cup. We get you ready for, not one, not two, but three upcoming MLS games. And we'll look at some of the new players OTHER teams are signing, because, as of now, we've got no new Loons flying our way.    (8:45) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (14:35) Quick Hits (26:05) Leagues Cup Review (1:02:10) Colorado Rapids Preview (1:05:50) Sea...

We talk about the sluggish win in the St. Louis heat thanks to two Ya' Boi Yeboah penalty kicks. We get you ready for the new look Leagues Cup that pits our Loons against three Mexican sides. And we'll keep talking about the Transfer Window, hoping that just talking about new players will help them materialize.   (3:55) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (10:10) Quick Hits (18:35) St. Louis Recap (41:00) Leag...

We talk about the home loss to LAFC despite the team's new sweet kits, we review the away draw against the Portland Timbers late Saturday night, and we mourn the end of the Bromance Era as Sang Bin packs his bags for St. Louis.    (5:40) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (10:40) Quick Hits (24:20) LAFC Recap (39:20) Portland Recap (53:50) St. Louis Preview (58:40) Loon Droppings   ------------------   BlueSk...

We talk about the "most aggressive set-piece team in the world." We review the friendly draw with the Germans, the Open Cup win over the Fire, and the thrashing of the Quakes 4-1. And we get ready for two matches against Western Conference teams that are trying to catch our Loons in the standings.   (4:40) Loon or Loonlet Trivia (11:00) Quick Hits (26:15) Holstein Kiel Recap (28:10) Chicago Fire O...