Meet our Local Soccer Writers!

As the NPSL and WPSL seasons come closer to starting in 2018 we here at E Pluribus Loonum are excited to cover both leagues. As an introduction to the 2018 season we introduce you too our team of Local Soccer Writers.

Ashle Norling: Local Soccer Editor

Twitter: @katosportsgirl

Clubs: All NPSL North and Fire 98 SC

Bio: Born and raised in Minnesota but moved around a lot and settled in a small town an hour west of the cities. Growing up around the gridiron I never liked soccer. That changed on a rainy evening in 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium as I watched the then NASL Minnesota United play Ottawa Fury FC. I’m Minnesota United season ticket holder and supporter and have recently taken a liking too Germany’s FC St. Pauli.

I will be covering each one of the 8 NPSL North Clubs at their home field during the 2018 season as well as covering WPSL expansion side Fire 98 SC primarily. I will also being part of our weekly NPSL and WPSL coverage pieces detailing each week of both leagues seasons. I will also be doing some special coverage on Dynamo FC - St. Cloud as well as the MASL Minnesota Cup and Wilson Cups.

Colin O’Donnell: Local Writer

Twitter: @theattachment

Clubs: Minneapolis City SC/other Twin Cities NPSL teams

Bio: Born and raised in suburban Minneapolis to a family that supported mathletic pursuits over athletic ones, I got into soccer via Arsenal FC—Merci, Arsene, let’s remember the good times—and became an avid NSC Minnesota Stars fan during a strange time living in Arizona. I’m also a fan of the USWNT and both the US and Ireland men’s national teams, and dabble with teams like Barcelona when I need a break from the constant barrage of disappointment.

Along with my writing on the Loons here, I also co-host the We Call it Soccer podcast. I’ll be pitching in with more fan-based coverage of Minneapolis City, and will probably also find myself at VSLT FC or Minnesota Twin Stars games when I need a fix of uncut, live, local

Dominic Jose Bisogno: Local Writer

Twitter: @DJBisogno

Clubs: Duluth FC

Bio: I am a Wisconsin-born resident of Duluth who comes from a family of Minnesota United and Liverpool FC supporters. I will be covering Duluth FC’s involvement in both the 2018 NPSL season and the 2018 U.S. Open Cup. I am also active within the club as a staff writer.

I stand by both the Venezuelan national team (la Vinotinto) and the US national team and promote the development of the beautiful game in both countries. When I’m not focusing on the clubs I actively support, I’m often tracking the progress of Vinotinto players around the world. As you can imagine, this leads me to sort-of-liking one of the more random lists of clubs you’ll find (e.g. Torino, Augsburg, West Brom, Moreirense, and Millonarios).

Eli Hoff: Managing Editor

Twitter: @byEliHoff

Clubs: Minneapolis City, VSLT

Having played baseball and (American) football growing up, I never thought I’d fall in love with soccer. A couple of trips to Guatemala and Honduras interested me and I quickly started to learn everything I could about the global sport. I cheered for Arsenal and Atletico Madrid before I paid much attention to the Loons, and the only pre-MLS match I went to was the loss to the Cosmos in the last-ever game at the NSC.

Most of my work here involves Minnesota United, but I enjoy the intimacy of local soccer too much not to help out there as well. Minneapolis City wisely chose to play their games very close to me, so I’ll be providing coverage of the Crows this year while dropping in on VSLT and the TwinStars on occasion.

Tim Abbott: Local Soccer Writer

Twitter: @timreporting

Club: Dakota Fusion NPSL and WPSL

Bio: I’m English born and bred, QPR fan and multi-generational Manchester United season ticket holder. I majored in journalism at Nottingham Trent, married and moved to Fargo-Moorhead. Was in the press box in Moorhead for FC Fargo, then in the stands as a fan and now I will be covering Dakota Fusion as they continue in the NPSL North and make history as the first North Dakotan team in WPSL and (one or possibly more games of the) US Open Cup - how long depends on Duluth FC, see below.

As an adopted Minnesotan, I’m happy to see the Loons and the US national teams develop (have lost hope in England) and oh, I’m a Vancouver Whitecaps fan. It’s complicated.