Minnesota United’s unbeaten start to 2024 was almost salvaged by Bongi Hlongwane’s goal in the 83rd minute against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, but it was waived off for Tani Oluwaseyi being offside in the build up.

Less than two minutes later, the Union put the game away with Julian Carranza beating new substitute defender Victor Erikkson in behind for an insurance goal in a 2-0 win at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa.

Going into this weekend, both teams were on a short list of five remaining undefeated clubs in MLS, but Philadelphia (2-0-3, 9 points) removed MNUFC (3-1-1, 10 points) from that group.

The Loons trailed 1-0 after a 16th minute goal from Daniel Gazdag. A corner kick, gaining position in front of DJ Taylor at the back post, while Devin Padelford and others didn’t clear a bouncing ball at the near post.

“The disappointing thing is as good a side as (Philadelphia) are with the front players … you prepare to stop their typical threats,” head coach Eric Ramsay said. “Their goals we conceded weren’t classic goals in any way. That’s frustrating because I think it’s part of the fact that we weren’t at our best. We looked like we were lacking some energy. I do feel if we would have tightened up on what were pretty basic things then we wouldn’t have found ourselves in the position we were in.”

With starting center back Micky Tapias sidelined by a hamstring injury, Padelford, primarily a fullback, stepped in at center back over Eriksson. Eriksson appeared to be the next man up on the depth chart, but the Swede’s work visa delays kept him from having a proper preseason and he just made his Loons debut in the international friendly against St. Patrick’s Athletic on March 20.

Eriksson had subbed into the game for his MLS debut moments before he failed to clear a Philadelphia goal kick and Carranza was able outrun Eriksson and beat goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.

“(Eriksson) had obviously had quite a particular set of circumstances up until this point that have prevented him from being active enough top play games,” Ramsay said Friday. “I still think he’s a while away from being completely match sharp, but he’s obviously physically he’s a real presence. He can handle the ball well. He’s very aggressive and eh’s really coachable. He’s someone that I’m sure will fit into the group eventually really well. When that moment comes, I will have full faith in him.”

Padelford primarily plays left fullback, but did play center back for MNUFC2 in 2022. He did not play centrally for the Loons developmental team in 2023, nor at all in MLS. It was a big test for the 21-year-old Maplewood man against a potent Philadelphia Union side on Saturday.

With Eriksson and Padelford having a hand in both goals conceded, it was clear MNUFC missed Tapias on Saturday. Tapias went through a fitness test on Friday, with Ramsay saying he was “50-50” to play but Tapias was ruled out Friday afternoon. Given that test, it’s believed Tapias will not be sidelined for long.

Marcus Foligno was a scratch Saturday for the Minnesota Wild, unable to play in an afternoon puck drop against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Foligno, slowed and/or sidelined by a groin injury for the better part of two months, has now missed 14 of the Wild’s past 22 games, a big absence for a team chasing an elusive playoff spot.

“It’s lingering with him,” coach John Hynes said after Thursday’s 3-1 victory over San Jose at Xcel Energy Center.

During fall camp, Foligno, 32, signed a four-year, $16 million contract extension that kicks in next season. He has played in 55 of the Wild’s 73 games so far this season with 10 goals, 12 assists and a plus/minus ratio of +10. Last season, a hip injury limited him to 65 games.

Hynes said Thursday had not decided to shut Foligno down for the rest of the regular season, 10 games before Saturday’s game, when the Wild still technically had a chance to make the playoffs, and with so few games left, there’s no compelling reason to put him on injured reserve.

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A teenage girl sleeping in her bed was wounded early Saturday when a shot fired from a neighboring apartment went through the wall of her Burnsville bedroom, according to police.

Shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday, Burnsville police responded to a call about the shooting at the Southwind Village Apartments on the 15200 block of Greenhaven Drive.

The bullet grazed the arm of the 17-year-old girl and she was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

A man was arrested on suspicion of firing the gun.

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Bruce Helmer and Peg Webb

Aligning your investments with what matters most to you is essential to living life authentically. But figuring out what you value the most isn’t always straightforward.

Defining what’s important

So, let’s open with a simple question: What are your values, and how do they show up in your life, in your relationships, and in your finances? So much of our daily lives are flooded with superfluous information and people telling us what we should be doing at any given moment.

When it comes to organizing your finances into a cohesive plan, we take an opposing view — to be true to yourself, start by identifying what you value, and then align those values to your financial plan. It all comes down to how you visualize living your best life. There are many examples of personal values that resonate with you and that can inform your financial decisions. The desire for security or abundance, for example, or lifelong learning or freedom, or serving your community or living sustainably, all can serve as one or more bedrock principles that help guide your financial life.

Setting financial goals

Once you are clear on values, set your financial goals. What do you want to achieve with your money or your time? Is it to achieve concrete goals, such as living debt-free or providing for your children’s future? Are you interested in starting a business, saving for a down payment on a home, or investing for retirement? Or maybe your goals are loftier, engaging your passions, talents, and sense of purpose to form a trinity of values that can make a difference in the world. Who would you like to help? How would you like to leave the world a little better? How can you engage your children to pursue what they’re passionate about, and can you help them make a bigger impact through your experience and resources?

Whatever you decide, make sure your goals are specific, measurable, and realistic. Goals are not about achieving perfection: they’re about charting a course so that as life events unfold, you can make needed adjustments while staying clear about the overall direction of your goal.

Evaluating your financial status

The next step in marrying your values to your investments is to evaluate your current financial situation. What are the sources and uses of your income? Do you have a firm grasp of your expenses, and where the money goes each month? Are you burdened by unproductive debt that builds no value on your household balance sheet?

With a better grasp of your financial status, you can begin to align your everyday spending habits with your values. For example, if you value financial security, creating and sticking to a budget may be especially important to you. If you value abundance, on the other hand, you may want to budget for more big-ticket items, such as an annual vacation trip or a more luxurious home or car. Or if you are committed to living more sustainably or intentionally, you may want to look for ways to reduce your carbon footprint or buy from companies that have high green ratings.

Squaring values with your investments

As you further develop the principles that help guide the way you want to live, you may want to reconcile those values with your investments. Values of abundance and generosity may point you to investment options that potentially grow over time (that is, that generate high returns). If this is the case, you may be comfortable with a more aggressive target asset allocation that weighs stocks more heavily than bonds.

However, if your guiding star values security and sustainability, that may suggest that peace of mind may be more important to you than high returns and guide you to more safe-haven investments such as fixed income (keeping some exposure to stocks in most cases). Or you may decide that your values place you somewhere in between.  There is no one-size-fits-all investment strategy that meets everyone’s goals and objectives.

Evaluating and adjusting your plan

Your income, debt load, and expenses undoubtedly will change over time. You need to be vigilant and revisit your financial plan from time to time to make sure it can support the life you want to live.

As the ancient philosophers stressed, a life well lived is not about simply accumulating wealth. It’s built on a foundation of self-sufficiency, self-confidence, and service. It’s filled with close, supportive relationships that require time and effort to nurture. Investing your values, more than your money is key to achieving joy and meaning in life.

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The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

Bruce Helmer and Peg Webb are financial advisers at Wealth Enhancement Group and co-hosts of “Your Money” on WCCO 830 AM on Sunday mornings. Email Bruce and Peg at yourmoney@wealthenhancement.com. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Wealth Enhancement Group and Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services are separate entities from LPL Financial.