Minnesota United: New USL affiliate Forward Madison instigates modern age

After a deal with St. Louis fell through, Minnesota United were left without an affiliate this season. Now, for 2019, they’ve struck a deal with Forward Madison. This new agreement instigates the modern MLS age for the Loons.

As has been confirmed by both clubs, Minnesota United have reached a deal with USL League One expansion side Forward Madison FC that makes the Wisconsin-based club Minnesota’s affiliate for this upcoming season.

The deal will include the movement of players, as well as the sharing of scouting information and technical resources.

It is an increasingly modern structure, with many of the elite MLS clubs having a USL affiliate to aid, primarily, with the development of young players and rehabilitation of long-term injuries.

More from MLS Multiplex

• Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
• Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
• USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
• De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
• Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States

Forward Madison will become Minnesota United’s first-ever official USL affiliate. It was much needed. After reportedly having an agreement with St. Louis lined up last season, the deal fell through and the club was left without an affiliate.

The lack of an official affiliate meant that the club was sending players all over the place on loan, whether it was Wyatt Omsberg going to Tulsa or Carter Manley ending up in Las Vegas. Not only is that difficult on the individual players, stenting their own progression, but it also limits the control Minnesota has over the coaching that their talent is receiving. When every player is coached in the same manner, as is often the case with a USL affiliate, it yields a far more cohesive club in which every individual is acutely aware of the collective responsibility. Just look at the New York Red Bulls.

This move now means that players who need playing time will be going to a designated club that will care just a little more about their development than some random club across the country would. Players may also perhaps get to train with fellow MNUFC loanees, furthering that innate understanding of the club and of one another.

The close proximity of the two clubs also means that players can more easily travel between clubs as Minnesota sees fit. They had that agreement with the clubs they loaned players to last season as well, but instead of having a situation where Carter Manley has to fly in from Las Vegas mid-week, you have about a four-hour drive for players moving between clubs, which will be extremely beneficial for the players because it limits the strain of an already strenuous season.

Overall, this a deal that should work out well for both clubs. Minnesota will have a place to send their young players, while Madison could really benefit from having those players.

Having a USL affiliate is the modern way to run an MLS organisation. Minnesota United are now, finally, beginning to catch up to the times.