Coach Adrian Heath Talks Expectations, Expansion Draft

Minnesota United FC Manager Adrian Heath gave an interview on KFAN this morning, providing insight on his goals for the team. Heath warned that the first season will be a challenge for the Loons, as an almost entirely new squad will take the field in March. His goal for the year is far from a trophy, but rather to play competitively as a cohesive unit. We fans can rest assured that quality matches will play out and that United "will try from the first minute to the last".

We can expect United to play attractive, attacking soccer. Heath prefers a possession-based style. In the interview he reaffirmed that United hope to be competitive.

Coach Heath also explained the thinking behind United's expansion draft decisions. Heath says United chose to select young players, with none over the age of 28, but experience was also a factor. He hopes that the selected players can be a guide to other players in United's first season. Heath says he has watched Jeff Attinella, the goalkeeper selected from Real Salt Lake yesterday, since he was a keeper at the University of South Florida.

Adrian Heath revealed that the trade of Chris Duvall for Johan Venegas from the Montreal Impact was planned. The Loons' front office was contacted the night before the draft by the Impact proposing a deal for Duvall. Venegas will have a lot expected of him. Heath believes that he "can do anything in the final third" and he will be expected to perform at the level of his success against the USMNT for the Costa Rican national team.

Heath expects a deal with forward a Christian Ramirez to be finalized within a matter of days, and hopes the striker will stay with the club.

Photo Credit: Minnesota United