Football Season Guide

A season that threatened to be the worst for an Expansion side in the history of MLS ended on a fairly successful note for Minnesota United who defied early season expectations to finish in a respectable ninth place in the Western Conference. Minnesota began their inaugural season on a disastrous note, leaking goals and creating unwanted records in the opening weeks of the campaign but the arrivals of Sam Cronin and Marc Burch during the summer coupled with coach Adrian Heath finally settling on his first choice lineup meant that Minnesota improved as the season went on and ended it on a high, collecting 14 points from their final 10 games to finish ninth in the Western Conference. There has been little turnover in terms of personnel with Heath holding on to all of his first choice players and has instead focused on clearing out the deadwood. The starting 11 that will be taking to the field in the season opener will bear a very familiar look for Minnesota, with Ethan Finlay and Kevin Molino playing the supporting role for Christian Ramirez upfront while Sam Cronin, Rasmus Schuller and Ibson are expected to marshal the midfield. With regards to departures, Johan Venegas is the only player making a regular contribution to the side who has left the club during the off-season. Minnesota have also let go of a number of defensive options in Jermaine Taylor, Joseph Greenspan, Justin Davis and Kevin Venegas while Tyrone Mears has been signed and is expected to start the season as the first choice at right back. Luiz Fernando's loan signing represents the biggest acquisition for Minnesota and the player is expected to provide greater depth in the center of the midfield. Minnesota are not expected to be involved in the playoffs race this season but Heath will be looking for his side to pick up from where they had left off last time around and improve on their ninth place finish from last season.