Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay is not putting together up any underdog motivational video clips this week to jolt his team out of its current three-match losing streak. Nor impassioned us-against-the-world pep talks coming out of the National Sports Center in Blaine.

“Eric is consistent,” veteran defender Zarek Valentin said Tuesday. “As a player, having a coach that is consistent is awesome. I’ve been with coaches where we have high highs and low lows. That is tough because the group feeds off that energy. …

“I’ve been a part of, I guess, both sets of coaches,” Valentin continued. “Ones that if we have won a game, it’s as if we won MLS Cup. And if we lose, the Titanic is sinking. It’s nice to have a consistent voice and a consistent presence.”

That doesn’t mean Ramsay is glossing over the Loons’ predicament. MNUFC is seriously shorthanded, and the first-year leader acknowledges that.

Going into Saturday’s match at Portland Timbers, four players remain away on international duties (Dayne St. Clair, Tani Oluwaseyi, Carlos Harvey and Alejandro Bran); two players have been transferred to European clubs (Kervin Arriaga and Victor Eriksson); key striker Teemu Pukki remains injured; vital defender Michael Boxall is nursing an ailment; and important midfielder Hasssani Dotson will serve a red-card suspension this weekend.

Before Wednesday’s training session, Ramsay gathered the 14 total field players set to participate. He simply reminded them about how “hard” it is to continue with so few players. He then outlined tasks for the day and they went to work.

“I don’t want to pretend the situation is anything different to what it is,” Ramsay told the Pioneer Press after practice. “It is difficult. There is no way that I can wave the magic wand and make the situation better. I can’t. We benefitted early on in the season, having a good squad, being able to change, being able to freshen things up.”

The Loons (8-6-5, 29 points) averaged 1.9 points per game over its opening 13 matches, but have managed only 0.6 over the last six. They went from among league leaders to the pack on its heels.

When the amount of points become less and less, Ramsay said the “temptation is to end up doing more and more. … You hear horror stories of coaches that lengthen the day from half seven (a.m.) until five (p.m.). And I’m almost the opposite in that sense.”

Ramsay wants to avoid being the type of coach Valentin described.

“What I don’t want to do is start blowing that situation up,” Ramsay continued. “And sort of add more fuel to the fire by us being different versions of ourselves compared to the selves we were two or three weeks ago.”

Ramsay also is not one to make excuses. He won’t even go so far as to acknowledge the exodus and then exit of the best player on the roster — Emanuel Reynoso — who was transferred to Club Tijuana in Mexico’s Liga MX at the end of May. The two-time MLS All-Star played all of a half hour for the Loons this season.

Copa America has taken away his top goalkeeper (St. Clair) and his No. 1 striker (Oluwaseyi) and two backup midfielders (Bran and Harvey). Pukki would have gotten a renewed opportunity to step in for Oluwaseyi, but he got hurt playing for Finland in June and isn’t expected back until July 7 at the earliest.

There is believed to be a broader understanding within the club that the current circumstances are out of Ramsay’s control and that lulls happen regularly throughout MLS.

“I think if we would have every player available and we were really at full tilt and pushing and pushing and pushing and we weren’t getting results, that would be a far more concerning situation,” Ramsay said Wednesday. “As much as we are disappointed with last week, it’s certainly not the end of the world. As I first said when I came in here, you can see these peaks and troughs naturally occur in the MLS for nearly all teams. Our situation is a real extreme. I always felt that we would have to ride these periods with real calm.”

That doesn’t mean Ramsay is content. Given the harsh circumstances, the on-field standards don’t shift. But a baseline expectation for results might alter. One or two points coming from those three games last week could have been deemed a success.

During the 1-0 loss to Austin FC on Saturday, the Apple TV stream did show an unhappy Ramsay on the sideline on a few occasions.

“I am frustrated,” Ramsay said. “That is the biggest thing I’ve got to check myself on.”

Authorities have released the name of a 3-year-old girl who drowned last week in Cottage Grove.

The Cottage Grove Police Department says Grai Violet-Louise Armstead drowned in a swimming pool at a house in the 8600 Block of Johansen Avenue South.

Police were dispatched to the house about 2:45 p.m. June 20, where the girl had been found unresponsive in the pool, officials said. Neighbors and family members were attempting to resuscitate her when police arrived and took over life-saving efforts. The girl was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where she was pronounced dead.

Kok Funeral Home in Cottage Grove is handling arrangements.

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Washington County issued a notice on Thursday for an emergency meeting related to the rising Mississippi and St. Croix rivers.

The emergency meeting of the Washington County Board will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Washington County Government Center in Stillwater.

County officials will be “presenting an emergency declaration that would allow the county to support our municipalities and take necessary actions to protect public infrastructure and respond to public safety concerns,” the notice announced.

Flooding in the communities of Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park and Grey Cloud Island Township is of special concern with the rising water levels on the Mississippi River, county officials say. The Mississippi is expected to reach major flood level and crest at more than 20 feet on Sunday.

“The surging water level is presenting strong currents and large, floating debris posing danger on the waterway,” county officials said in a news release.

On Thursday, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources expanded the temporary no-wake zone on the Mississippi River to include the stretch from the Interstate 494 bridge in South St. Paul to the Dakota County/Washington County border at St. Croix River Mile Marker 1. The no-wake zone will remain in effect until the water level returns to below 15 feet, officials said.

A no-wake zone remains in effect for the entire St. Croix River.

The St. Croix is expected to crest at 688 feet, which is classified as moderate flood stage, at 7 a.m. Sunday.

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By Kristen Wood, Food Drink Life

It’s kind of like devouring a delicious plate of sushi: wrapping up one amazing vacation always leaves you wanting more. But with such a big world to see – and so little time in which to see it – where should you book your next trip?

This year, it’s time to let your tastebuds do the talking. Read on to learn why foodies around the globe are flocking to these emerging travel destinations. How many of these spots have you visited?

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1. Tbilisi, Georgia

Vendors wait for customers at a food market in Tbilisi on June 11, 2020. (Photo by VANO SHLAMOV/AFP via Getty Images)

Cobblestoned Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is bursting with history – and by the time you leave, you’ll be bursting with satisfying Georgian dishes. Here, you can learn the art of eating khinkali, twisted dumplings filled with meat and broth, or enjoy crisp tomatoes and cucumbers paired with one of Georgia’s many varieties of cheese. Whatever you do, don’t forget to try khachapuri, a boat-shaped dish traditionally filled with cheese and egg, before you have to say goodbye.

2. Oaxaca, Mexico

If you want to eat well, visit Oaxaca: From street vendors to world-class restaurants, this city has so much to offer. Make sure to try at least one of Oaxaca’s seven moles, or thick chili-based sauces, which can take days to prepare. Then, try some of Oaxaca’s most unique dishes, including huitlacoche, a corn fungus similar to a mushroom, and chapulines, a crunchy snack made from deep-fried grasshoppers.

Wash everything down with tejate, a thick drink made from toasted maize and cacao. And for dessert, don’t miss paletas, frosty ice popsicles made from fresh fruit.

3. Medellín, Colombia

Visit Medellín, and you’ll understand why Colombian food is well worth booking that flight. In Medellín, your day starts with buñuelos, fried dough balls that are best enjoyed with a steaming mug of hot chocolate or coffee. Spend the day seeing the sights and devouring plenty of empanadas along the way.

At day’s end, dig into bandeja paisa, a traditional dish that includes a broad array of ingredients. Chorizo, a fried egg, plantain, chicharrón, arepa, avocado, beef, rice and beans are all served together for a hearty meal that hits the spot after a long day of traveling.

4. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Take a hiking tour through Slovenia, and you’ll be rewarded with sights of snow-capped mountains, hidden waterfalls and pristine lakes – but best of all, you’ll get to end every day with a different take on a hearty traditional stew. And if hiking isn’t really your thing, head to charming Ljubljana to sample all those dishes and more.

Obara, golaž and pohorski pisker are just a few of the savory, saucy stews waiting for you to soak them up with a crusty loaf of bread. For dessert, don’t miss potica, a sweet, festive cake that can be filled with ground walnuts, poppy seeds or even Nutella.

5. Havana, Cuba

Tourists have breakfast in a private restaurant in Havana, on January 30, 2024. (Photo by YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images)

No trip to Havana would be complete without enjoying ropa vieja, a dish of tender, shredded steak stewed in tomato sauce with peppers and onions and often served with rice and plantains. This dish is a perfect example of why Cuban food is sought out by so many.

Pair your ropa vieja with one of the many iconic Cuban cocktails out there, like the mojito – a Havana classic. Both can be enjoyed at Doña Eutemia, recently named one of the best restaurants and an “Old Havana stalwart” by CultureTrip.

6. Cape Town, South Africa

Visiting Cape Town? Don’t miss the chance to order a Gatsby, a huge sandwich stuffed with french fries, meat and vegetables. If you’ve still got room left over, seek out boerewors, a spiral-shaped mince sausage, best enjoyed with a cold glass of beer.

After all that, think you’re full? It won’t be difficult to find an appetite for dessert if you spot anyone selling koeksister on your way home. These sticky-sweet pastries made out of fried dough are completely irresistible.

7. Bologna, Italy

Bologna is the place to go to enjoy some of the most beloved examples of Italian food in their original cultural context. Try tagliatelle al ragù, and you’ll never think about spaghetti bolognese the same way again. And don’t stop there: lasagna verde, tortellini and gramigna are just three more must-try pasta dishes no visitor to Bologna can overlook. Buon appetito!

8. Tel Aviv, Israel

Before you head out to explore Tel Aviv, start your day with shakshuka, a dish of poached eggs in a spicy tomato and pepper stew with parsley and feta cheese sprinkled on top. As the day heats up, cool down with a sweet treat from Anita Gelato – if you’re lucky enough to stop by when their halva flavor is available, you might just be taking a pint back to your hotel room.

Towards sunset, head to Jaffa for dinner at The Old Man and the Sea, a legendary seafood restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean. You’ll get to enjoy a spread of almost two dozen different little salads included with dinner: the perfect way to sample hummus, tahini, pickled vegetables and other classic Middle Eastern dishes.

9. Osaka, Japan

This photo taken on March 16, 2024 shows a man pushing his bicycle past bars prior to their opening in a popular entertainment area in Osaka. (Photo by RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

If you’re craving street food, head to Osaka to see why this city is more than worthy of the nickname The Nation’s Kitchen. There, you can eat your way through the Dotonbori, Shinsekai and Kitashinchi districts, sampling favorites like takoyaki – fried dough balls with octopus – and kushikatsu, or deep-fried meat and veggie skewers. Be warned: you will be thinking about these tasty fried treats for years to come.

10. Porto, Portugal

Whether you’re looking for a satisfying lunch to carry you through an intense afternoon of port tasting, in desperate need of a hangover cure or just curious to discover what might be the world’s most indulgent sandwich, francesinha won’t let you down.

This sandwich, originally from Porto, typically includes multiple different types of meat – sausage, linguiça, steak and ham – drenched in a spicy seafood sauce and melted cheese. Just for good measure, it’s also topped with a fried egg and served with fries.

Final thoughts

Is your stomach rumbling yet? The dishes named in this article are just a taste of the many innovative celebrations of local cuisines that you can expect at any of these destinations. So if you’re hungry for more, don’t overlook these destinations when planning your next trip – because sometimes, there’s no better way to experience a new place than by tucking in your metaphorical bib and diving in.

Kristen Wood is a photographer, writer, world traveler, and creator of the blog. Foodventures Abroad, where food and travel intertwine. She is also the author of Vegetarian Family Cookbook, Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook, and Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners. Her work has been featured in various online and print publications, including Tasting Table, Forbes, Martha Stewart, NBC and more.