Minnesota United Embark On Robust MLS Preseason

Minnesota United’s nascent roster is about to get its first real test as six weeks of preseason activities get underway.

United’s 2017 MLS preseason kicked off yesterday as the team opened camp in Casa Grande, Ariz., a familiar facility for many that trained there last year ahead of the team’s final season in NASL. Stops in Portland and Florida will round out the preseason tour.

Organized preseason team activities are designed to form team bonds, familiarize new recruits (i.e. the whole team) with coach Adrian Heath’s tactical plan, and ensure everyone is in top physical form.

“We’re really excited about the preseason schedule,” said Minnesota United Sporting Director Manny Lagos in a press release. “In Arizona, we’ll focus on fitness and soccer fundamentally; in Portland, teamwork and getting the guys comfortable on the field with each other – it will also be an opportunity to play in front of fans and add that element of intensity; we’ll finish in Florida, where we will focus on prepping the guys for the MLS season kickoff in Portland.”

United will have about a week to themselves before meeting the New England Revolution on the pitch for a friendly on January 31. Nogometni Klub Istra 1961, a Croatian side, will travel to play the team on February 3.

The two friendlies offer an interesting look into an otherwise internally-focused trip. Training camps are always an important step in whipping a team into fighting shape, but for an expansion team looking to make a splash in its first season in MLS, the preseason scrimmages will be critical.

Though friendlies are not competitive matches, it will be important for United to show cohesion, awareness, and trust on the pitch. Undoubtedly working in their favor are returning veterans like Christian Ramirez and Kevin Venegas, players that made the leap from NASL to MLS with the club and will bring familiarity and comfort to the locker room and squad. Ideally, these veterans will be the cultural bedrock of the team, helping to integrate new players like rookie Abu Dunladi and international Francisco Calvo.

Perhaps the most thorough test of the team’s readiness will come in two weeks when the team closes shop in Arizona to head to the Pacific Northwest. Portland will host United, Real Salt Lake, and the Vancouver Whitecaps for their annual preseason tournament.

The tournament will not only be another chance to work out tactical kinks but also the first time they see three conference opponents on the pitch. Real Salt Lake, the Whitecaps, and the Timbers all play in the Western Conference

The final leg of the preseason tour will see United square off against MLS Cup runner-ups Toronto FC as well as USL club San Antonio FC in Orlando.

Overall, United’s preseason slate is fairly robust, pitting them against seven teams in six weeks. For comparison, sister expansion side Atlanta United has four preseason matches on the books while the big market side LA Galaxy have just three.

United’s inaugural MLS regular season begins March 3 with an away match against the Portland Timbers. The Loons will make their home debut March 12 when they host fellow expansion side Atlanta United at TCF Bank Stadium, their temporary home.

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