Football Season Guide

Minnesota had an extraordinary season, finishing fourth in the West before being eliminated by San Diego in the Conference semi-finals. They picked up the third-most points on the road (30) in the MLS through their counter-attacking style of playing, finding ways to win games without the ball. Minnesota set new club records in total points, wins, goals scored, goals conceded, clean sheets and longest unbeaten streak. During the offseason they lost a couple of key players in goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair and midfielder Robin Lod. Experienced Drake Callender has been signed to fill in between the boasts, but he’s a downgrade. Meanwhile, Minnesota took many by surprise by landing James Rodríguez, who is one of the most talented players in the league, but also one of the most inconsistent taking into account his form over the last years. Overall, the roster got younger, which could help the team change their philosophy after the departure of Eric Ramsay, who could be regarded Minnesota’s best coach ever. Cameron Knowles, one of Ramsay’s assistants, has been promoted from within and his appointment could be followed by a formation shift from a back five to a more attacking-minded 4-2-3-1. Having kept their defensive backbone intact, their backline remains Minnesota’s main strength after boasting the third-best defence across the league with 39 goals conceded. Meanwhile, they scored more set pieces than any other team, something that could serve them well again this term. Following Tani Oluwaseyi’s mid-season departure, starting striker Kelvin Yeboah didn’t manage to meet expectations, scoring as many goals as wingback Anthony Markanich (nine), who netted most of his from dead balls. This could be a source concern, as they are lacking a solid backup option behind Yeboah.