2017 Season Preview: Minnesota United
By Tyler Hanson
After NASL success in years past, Minnesota United sets it’s sights on MLS. The odds are against the Loons in year one, but the team has other ideas.
The club in its current form had existed in NASL since 2011, but now they will play their inaugural season in MLS. With a sort of moneyball-like approach with under-the-radar signings, people aren’t expecting much from Minnesota this season. Some unnamed MLS front office personnel even thought that the Loons would be one of the worst teams in MLS history. Now, Minnesota’s young roster sets out to prove the doubters wrong.
A Recap of 2016
Minnesota United narrowly missed the NASL playoffs last season. Near the top of the conference for most of the year, the bottom fell out late in the season, and they missed the playoffs by 1 spot. After NASL was over, Minnesota had to form a competitive MLS roster in a short amount of time, and had to sign players very quickly, while also signing the right players.
Transfers In:
- John Alvbåge (Loan, IFK Goteborg)
- Francisco Calvo (Transfer, Deportivo Saprissa)
- Vadim Demidov (Transfer, SK Brann)
- Mohammed Saeid (Expansion Draft)
- Abu Danladi (SuperDraft)
- Miguel Ibarra (Transfer, Club Leon)
- Johan Venegas (Trade, Montreal Impact)
- Joseph Greenspan (Trade, Colorado Rapids)
- Bashkim Kadrii (Loan, FC Copenhagen)
- Collin Martin (Trade, DC United)
- Kevin Molino (Trade, Orlando City)
- Rasmus Schüller (Transfer, BK Häcken)
- Patrick McLain (Trade, Orlando City)
- Collen Warner (Expansion Draft)
- Bobby Shuttleworth (Trade, NE Revolution)
- Josh Gatt (Free Transfer)
- Jèrôme Thiesson (Transfer, FC Luzern)
Transfers Out:
- Femi Hollinger-Janzen (Trade, NE Revolution)
NASL Additions:
- Justin Davis
- Ibson
- Brent Kallman
- Christian Ramirez
- Kevin Venegas
- Bernardo Añor
Projected Starting XI for Opening Weekend:
Minnesota will need some production out of their NASL players if they hope to succeed this season. Christian Ramirez was a goal machine in NASL, but will need find ways to put the ball in the back of the net in MLS, as he’s projected to be the Loons’ starting striker on opening day.
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On the wings, Minnesota has options. Kevin Molino bagged 11 goals for Orlando City last season, and will be counted on carry that form into 2017. On the Left wing, Danish international Bashkim Kadrii and US international Miguel Ibarra will compete for playing time. Should Kadrii stay healthy and put his injury problems behind him, I expect him to start most matches.
Behind the striker should be Costa Rican international Johan Venegas, who has told manager Adrian Heath that the #10 position is where he’s best. He should provide much needed creativity in the middle, and combine with Molino, Kadrii, Ibarra, Ramirez, and others, to form a dangerous attacking unit.
Behind Venegas in Central Midfield, Rasmus Schüller and Collen Warner will provide good passing and ball-winning ability. Expect Mohammed Saeid, Colin Martin, and Ibson to provide valuable minutes off the bench though, in a seemingly deep Central Midfield.
The full backs have been a worry for the Loons, as a combination of Jermaine Taylor and Kevin Venegas has struggled to hold down the right flank, while Justin Davis has struggled a bit at Left back as well. Davis has at least shown signs of promise though, and recently acquired Jérôme Thiesson should provide a solid, experienced starter at right back.
Though Thiesson certainly helps, the full back positions may still be a concern down the road. The centerbacks have been a bright spot for Minnesota in preseason, as Francisco Calvo and Vadim Demidov have shown great chemistry as the starting pair. Down the depth chart, Joseph Greenspan and Brent Kallman have also shown promise, and Jermaine Taylor’s preferred position is at centerback, which should mean a deep pool of central defenders for the Loons, with 2 very solid starters, and seemingly adequate depth.
In-between the posts is also a position of depth for the Loons, as experienced keeper John Alvbåge is expected to start, with MLS veteran Bobby Shuttleworth backing him up, and Patrick McLain behind him.
2017 Predictions
Though Minnesota is seemingly deep in every area, there’s a reason why MLS expansion teams usually struggle in year one. There’s a chance the NASL guys struggle, and it will take a while for the roster to fully gel as a unit. Expect growing pains in year one, but Minnesota shouldn’t be as bad as many might think.
Predicted Finishing Position: 10th in Western Conference.
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