Preseason starts today

Reset your countdown clocks. Minnesota United confirmed its preseason schedule and the first match is next week.

The team will kick off their preseason training in Casa Grande, Ariz. While there, they’ll face off against the New England Revolution and Croatian club Nogometni Klub Istra 1961. After that, the Loons will participate in the Portland Timbers’ invitational tournament and then head to Orlando, Fla.

As they travel around the country to come together as a team and focus on the fundamentals, may we suggest the following to help them remember their roots?

Thought of @dunord when I saw this. pic.twitter.com/38VeJVyuK0

— YLIKUITTASJÄRVI (@MNorthStar82) January 23, 2017

Player news

Another signing is imminent. Brent Kallman is expected to officially join the roster soon. The Woodbury native will be the first Minnesotan and the fifth former Loon to be added to the MLS roster.

Meanwhile, Francisco Calvo is scoring goals and taking names. The United center back scored one for Costa Rica in their Copa Centroamericana matchup against Honduras on Friday.

GOAL Costa Rica, Francisco CALVO No. 15 | @FenafuthOrg @Fedefutbol_CR #CCA2017 pic.twitter.com/ELNuN85nAR

— Concacaf (@Concacaf) January 21, 2017

NASL 2017 format

The 2017 NASL competition format has been announced. Eight teams will play a 16-game Spring Season followed by a 16-game Fall Season. Champions from each season will earn the right to host a semi-final game in the end-of-year tournament. Half of the league’s teams will participate in the four-club tournament, which starts the weekend of Nov. 4. NASL play kicks off Saturday, March 25.

Wearables

We might not know what the lads will be wearing on the pitch, but we have a glimpse what they’ll be wearing while traveling:

Testing out some new traveling gear…????????
I love this challenge and will give it my absolute best shot????????#Preseason@MNUFC
@MLSsupport pic.twitter.com/GNpTawnssy

— Marius Roevde (@MariusRovde) January 22, 2017

If you’re looking to add to your closet, you might want to check out this sharp gear spotted at Target:

Looky looky: some forthcoming @MNUFC merch as spotted by @talismancaps pic.twitter.com/8UYW7rodQ8

— Bruce John McGuire (@dunord) January 21, 2017

News bits

• Lino Lakes native and Santa Clara forward Jenna Roering wrote about bouncing back after a tough loss.
• Former Loon Kristian Nicht is taking up coaching in his retirement.
• Will Parchman of Top Drawer Soccer did a comprehensive ranking of the MLS development academies.
• The Dark Clouds report that ticket sales for the MLS season opener in Portland are nearly double the previous away trip record.
• Andy Greder has a nice write-up on Joe Greenspan’s Naval and soccer career.