MNUFC Acquires GK Tyler Miller from LAFC

After being leaked earlier today, Minnesota United officially announced they have acquired Goalkeeper Tyler Miller from Los Angeles Football Club. In order to acquire Miller the Loons sent LAFC a total of $200,000 in allocation money. LAFC will receive $150,000 in TAM in 2020 and $50,000 in GAM in 2021.

“We think we’ve signed one of the best young goalkeepers in the league, who was invited to the (U.S.) national team last year,” said MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath. “We’ve spoken to all the people that have worked with him and they’re all incredibly complimentary. But more importantly, Stuart Kerr, who we believe is the best goalkeeping coach in the league, he thinks the upside is huge with this guy. We are delighted to get him. The fact that’s he’s American helps us with our international numbers. I think the best days of Tyler Miller are ahead of him and I couldn’t be more pleased that we’ve got him.”

Corresponding with the move Miller has signed a new contract with Minnesota totaling three years, with a club option for a fourth year. This will keep the Loons new goalkeeper with the club through at least 2022 and possibly as far as 2023.

The Loons acquiring Miller may put an end to the goalkeeper struggles, both on and off the pitch, the team has had since moving to Major League Soccer. In the three seasons the since the Loons joined the league they have had nine different goalkeepers on the roster. In 2017 John Alvbåge was brought in as the initial starter, he would only play two matches and see the field in three matches before being replaced. After two starts giving up 11 goals, Alvbåge would be replaced by Bobby Shuttleworth. Shuttleworth had been brought into the club with a Mid-February trade to New England Revolution in 2017 and stayed on the roster until being loaned to Sacramento Republic in late 2019.

In 2018 Matt Lampson was acquired from Chicago Fire. Though primarily relegated to a backup roll behind Shuttleworth, Lampson did make nine starts for the side in 2018. In 2019 Vito Mannone was brought in on loan from Sky Bet Championship side Reading FC. Mannone would start all 34 regular season matches and the playoff match for the Loons, winning Goalkeeper of the Year in the process. MNUFC and Mannone could not agree to terms to bring him back full time from Reading however which left the Loons in search of a keeper.

In relation to new GK Tyler Miller MNUFC Technical Director Mark Watson stated. “We’re really excited to have Tyler. We think we now have a top keeper – a national team level keeper – and someone that can be at this club a long time and play at a very high level.”

Miller has made camp appearances with the U18, U20, and U23 National Teams; He will also join new MNUFC teammate Chase Gasper at the USMNT’s January camp.

Stay tuned to E Pluribus Loonum for more offseason updates on Minnesota United FC.