Minnesota United: First 18-man MLS squad, where are they now?
By Matt Coles
It has been nearly two-and-a-half years since Minnesota United made their MLS bow against the Portland Timbers. But where are those 18 players now?
It has been nearly two and half years since Minnesota United made their MLS bow against the Portland Timbers on a rainy night at Providence Park. The rain matched the feeling for the Loons, who recorded the worst-ever defeat for an expansion team on debut as the Timbers ran riot, winning 5-1.
The Loons then went on to break more records the week after, losing 6-1 at home to fellow expansion side Atlanta United, becoming the first MLS side to ever concede five or more goals in each of their first two matches in the league.
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From that inaugural 18-man squad, only four remain, with Rasmus Schüller and Miguel Ibarra becoming mainstays in the side. Kevin Molino is recently back from injury, while Brent Kallman is currently enjoying a run in the side at the back.
But, what about the rest? Here is what came of the first Minnesota United squad.
Goalkeeper
GK – John Alvbage – IK Sirius (Allsvenskan, SWE)
John Alvbage came to the Loons on loan from IFK Goteborg, but the 2015 Allsvenskan Goalkeeper of the Year only played three league games, two of which were those against Portland and Atlanta. The Swede was swiftly replaced by Bobby Shuttleworth, who remains at MNUFC to this day.
After his loan deal expired in July 2017, Alvbage had a spell at Norwegian side Stabæk, before spending time in Cyprus with Omonia and then Nea Salamina. He is now back in his native Sweden with IK Sirius.