One of two 2017 MLS expansion sides to enter the league this season, the Chicago Fire will welcome Minnesota United FC to Toyota Park on Saturday night for what will be the first-ever MLS meeting between the two clubs. Minnesota formally entered the league in March as the Western Conference counterpart to fellow expansion club Atlanta United FC, whom the Fire have met twice in 2017. Saturday's match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. CT (TICKETS), with coverage on CSN Chicago Plus and Univision América 1200 (WRTO).
The Announcement
Minnesota was awarded the opportunity to be the league's 22nd club back in March of 2015, and formally announced their intent to begin play on Aug. 19 of 2016. Owned by Dr. Bill McGuire, the team made the leap to MLS after participating in the North American Soccer League from it's founding in 2010 through the NASL's 2016 season. According to the club, their crest boasts a six pointed star that signifies the Star of the North as well as a loon, the Minnesota State Bird (and the club's nickname). Minnesotans have long been soccer fans, drawing upwards of 40,000 to see the Minnesota Kicks play in the old NASL in the 1970s, and hosting the minor-league Minnesota Thunder in the 1990s and 2000s.
The Coach
The Loons are led by Adrian Heath, who additionally guided a first-year club into MLS as head coach of Orlando City SC back in 2015. As a player, Heath was a veteran of England's top flight with stints at Stoke City, Everton Manchester City, and Burnley, and spent 11 years managing English sides Burnley, Sheffield United and Coventry City before crossing the pond in 2008. As head coach of the United Soccer League's Orlando City side, Heath won two USL Pro Championships and three Commissioner's Cups.
The Squad
Minnesota built their 2017 foundation via a core of MLS veterans, as well as some key holdovers from their days in the NASL. Leading scorer Christian Ramirez is one of those holdovers, and has scored 11 times in his debut season in the league. U.S. Soccer fans will also be familiar with Miguel Ibarra, who was the first player from NASL to be called up to the U.S. Men's National Team back in 2015. Former Orlando City man Kevin Molino offers a dangerous outlet in attack, having slotted home five goals this season and leading the team with seven assists. Additionally, first overall 2017 MLS SuperDraft pick Abu Danladi has seen his minutes increase at the forward position as the summer has progressed, and has picked up three goals in his first year as a pro.
The Season To Date
It has been an up-and-down entry into MLS for the league's newest club, which currently calls the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium its home. They currently sit in 11th place in the Western Conference, with 22 points through their first 24 matches played (6-14-4), and are winless in 10 road contests. The Loons were welcomed harshly to the top flight, enduring losses by scores of 5-1, 6-1, and 5-2 within their first four games. Minnesota was able to plug some of their defensive issues after a March trade for MLS vets Sam Cronin and Marc Burch from Colorado, but they still have yet to win back-to-back games this season and carry a -21 goal differential. They enter Saturday night's contest in Chicago riding a pair of consecutive losses to the Seattle Sounders, most recently a 2-1 heartbreaking defeat suffered in Seattle on Aug. 20.
