The solution to Minnesota United’s oft-lamented struggles in defensive midfield may have been found.
Jeff Rueter of The Athletic first reported that Jan Kirchhoff, a German defensive midfielder and centerback who played at Bayern Munich, trialed with the Loons.
Kirchhoff was present for the final week of the regular season, a source seconded to E Pluribus Loonum. That source also said Kirchhoff made an impression by joining current Loons in scolding star attacker Darwin Quintero for continually losing the ball too easily in a training session.
Kirchhoff was initially regarded as a high-potential defender in the German Bundesliga and received a contract from Bayern Munich.