While Minnesota United’s offense has often been scintillating in the team’s first two years in MLS — especially with the addition of Darwin Quintero and his highlight-worthy play last season — its defense, from front to back, has left a lot to be desired. There’s simply no getting around giving up 141 goals over two seasons. As Head Coach Adrian Heath likely got tired of saying, it’s just not possible to concede two or three goals, especially on the road, and expect to come away with a win.
A major component of the team’s offseason, then, became strengthening the spine of the team through the midfield and the backline.