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MLS: Every team’s best starting XI for 2019

By Joshua Bowers

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 08: Atlanta United players celebrate with the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy after winning the MLS Cup against the Portland Timbers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta won 2-0. (Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 08: Atlanta United players celebrate with the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy after winning the MLS Cup against the Portland Timbers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta won 2-0. (Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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VANCOUVER, BC – OCTOBER 17: Ike Opara #3 of Sporting Kansas City (left) and Kei Kamara #23 of the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on October 17, 2018 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Christopher Morris – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC – OCTOBER 17: Ike Opara #3 of Sporting Kansas City (left) and Kei Kamara #23 of the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on October 17, 2018 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Christopher Morris – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Minnesota United FC

4-4-1-1

GK Vito Mannone

RB Romain Metanire

CB Michael Boxall

CB Ike Opara

LB Francisco Calvo

RM Miguel Ibarra

CM Osvaldo Alonso

CM Jan Gregus

LM Kevin Molino

CF Darwin Quintero

ST Angelo Rodriguez

The backline is completely redone. Ike Opara is the big addition. He will push Francisco Calvo to the left, where he plays for Costa Rica’s national team. Metanire was brought in to start on the right side. Michael Boxall is the only defensive player who was a starter last season and will start in the same postion.

Alonso and Gregus will be the holding midfielders and they should complement each other nicely. Alonso is one of the best defensive midfielders in league history and Gregus is a natural number eight.

There are options on the wings. Kevin Molino and Ethan Finlay could both start coming back from injuries that kept them out most of last season. At the start of the season, though, it could be Romario and Miguel Ibarra. I split the difference and went with one from each of those pairings. Molino has played as a central attacking midfielder for the majority of his Minnesota tenure, but he will have to settle for a role outside with Quintero playing like a dynamo there.

Darwin Quintero is the team’s best player, most important player, and a 2019 MLS MVP candidate. Last year, he showed his best position is second forward. So, that is where I have him (rather than putting Molino there in a 4231, and playing Quintero on the left).

Angelo Rodriguez is my striker. I would love to live in a world where I can count on Abu Danladi to be healthy, productive, and ready to embark upon a breakout season. Unfortunately, I do not believe that is probable. Rodriguez was just fine last season.

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