News

Eight Players Leave as Minnesota United Announces End of Season Roster

by on 27 November 2017

Late Monday, Minnesota United FC announced its roster decisions as they parted ways with eight players from their inaugural season.

Returning

Many of the names announced as returning for Minnesota United will not surprise fans. Abu Danladi, Christian Ramirez, Sam Cronin, Ethan Finlay, Miguel Ibarra, Kevin Molino, Sam Nicholson, Rasmus Schüller, Collen Warner, Michael Boxall, Marc Burch, Francisco Calvo, Vadim Demidov, and Jérôme Thiesson all had guaranteed contracts through 2018.

The Loons also decided to pick up the options of Ibson, Collin Martin, Johan Venegas, Brent Kallman, Alex Kapp, and Bobby Shuttleworth.

The return of Johan Venegas will raise some eyebrows, as the player often underperformed throughout the season and found himself making only substitute appearances.

Former captain, Vadim Demidov, failed to even make the bench for most of the season, but remains with the club on a guaranteed contract until the Loons can find a new club for him.

Declined options

The club declined the options on Bernardo Añor, Ismaila Jome, Justin Davis, Thomas de Villardi, Joe Greenspan, Jermaine Taylor, and Kevin Venegas. Goalkeeper Patrick McLain did not have an option on his contract. The club may still renegotiate new contracts with these players.

Justin Davis and Kevin Venegas were the Loons’ first signings with Minnesota United in MLS. The two have been longtime stalwarts in the Minnesota defense, but found themselves rarely called upon in 2017 playing 492 and 540 minutes, respectively.

“Ish” Jome is a local Minnesota player who pushed his way to 12 appearances for the club in MLS.

Roster

As of today’s announcement, Minnesota United’s roster is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Alex Kapp, Bobby Shuttleworth
Defenders: Michael Boxall, Marc Burch, Francisco Calvo, Vadim Demidov, Brent Kallman,
Jérôme Thiesson
Midfielders: Ibson, Sam Cronin, Ethan Finlay, Miguel Ibarra, José Leitón, Collin Martin,
Kevin Molino, Sam Nicholson, Rasmus Schuller, Collen Warner, Johan Venegas
Forwards: Abu Danladi, Christian Ramirez

 

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Wes Burdine, PhD

Follow @MnNiceFC

  • Ian

    So the guys whose options were declined may just be getting pay cuts on a new contract?

    • Troy Kadlec

      They will likely be dropped – only Taylor and Anor were making over 100k. Davis and Venegas were at ~$80k and the rest were making league minimums for the most part. Taylor is the only one that you might re-sign for depth, but you likely won’t unless your scouting and acquisitions fail you.

      • Wes

        I think this is probably right. Taylor is perhaps the most useful player in that group and they just don’t need another centerback

  • Troy Kadlec

    I wonder if the team might be fielding an offer or two for Johan or using him as bait in the expansion draft. I’m surprised we’d keep him unless we saw some value in him that outweighed freeing up the cap money and international spot. That said, maybe the early struggles are passed and the team sees him as insurance in the #10 role. He was one of the only players we had that showed any spark in that role.

  • Vinyl Haircut

    Most of the transactions are unsurprising. I have to say I’m:
    1) Glad they hung on to Collin Martin.

    2) A little surprised they let Joe Greenspan go. Seemed to be young enough and inexpensive enough that they might give him another year to develop.

    3) Horrified they picked up the option for Johan Venegas. Frankly, I never want to see him in a United jersey again.

    4) Grateful to Kevin Venegas and Justin Davis. Their release can’t come as a shock to anyone, but nonetheless I can’t help but think of some really great times at NSC.

    • Scherbs

      Agreed. They have to be looking to trade J. Venegas, he is terrible. Otherwise no real surprises here.

      • Vinyl Haircut

        I hope that’s right. I just can’t imagine who would be willing to trade for him, and what they would be willing to give up? Then again, this is MLS so lord knows what other teams are thinking…

  • Mark Lehman

    Agree with everything Vinyl Haircut had to say. Word for word. Any thoughts on Teal Bunbury coming back to the land of 10,000 lakes?

  • Matt

    Is it still looking like Ibarra is destined for a trade in the offseason?