MLS: 5 teams who exceeded expectations in 2019

By Matt Coles | Oct 11, 2019

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his goal during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /

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St. Paul, MN-September 25: Osvaldo Alonso (6) of Minnesota United celebrated after scoring a goal in the second half. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune via Getty Images) /

Minnesota United

Minnesota United arguably the surprise package of the 2019 MLS season. They have risen from bottom of the table obscurity to being a comfortable playoff contender. In both of their first two seasons in the league since coming in as an expansion franchise in 2017, Minnesota only managed a best of ninth place. However, this season they challenged for second spot in the West right to the final day of the season and eventually finished in fourth.

The rise has come from a number of factors, including a change in philosophy, which has seen the Loons pride themselves on their defensive solidarity. Part of that has come from loan signing Vito Mannone, who kept 11 clean sheets, a club-record, in 2019. They also revamped their squad, with new signings Ike Opara, Romain Metanire, Ozzie Alonso and Jan Gregus all playing key roles.

Minnesota are also one of the surprise packages because they were the only team to beat LAFC at the Banc of California Stadium. What’s more, the Loons form this year did not just stay in MLS. They made the final of the U.S. Open Cup, where they narrowly missed out to Atlanta, their fellow 2017 expansion ‘brothers’. No matter how the playoffs unfold, this was an excellent 2019 for Minnesota.

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