This might be an unpopular opinion, but I’m going to say it anyway. Minnesota United’s on-field success in 2016 really isn’t that important.*
There is a big asterisk in that opinion, but it’s true. Minnesota United FC, as an organization, is more concerned with getting a stadium deal done and moving to MLS in 2017 than any sort of on-field success for 2016. The players and the coaching staff are the asterisk and while they want to be successful this year the organization is focused on the move to MLS and the stadium.
Of course, the organization wants the team to win, but for an organization in transition, that is not their primary focus.
Why should the team be worried about success this year? Success this year doesn’t translate into ticket sales next year.
Playing in MLS at TCF Bank Stadium in 2017 will motivate more new fans than another NASL trophy will.
The Loons marketing: it’s about fan culture and the quality of MLS, not the quality of play on the field in 2016.
The roster compiled by the front office for 2016 is a group of veterans who won’t make the move with the team in 2017 and younger players looking to prove they deserve an MLS contract. That’s not a recipe for guaranteed team success, although coach Craig and the players are working hard to prove that wrong.
A case in point for the roster: a major need in the offseason for the team was at center back and instead of a veteran signing, Minnesota has been playing primarily two young players in Brent Kallman and Damion Lowe. While both have shown tremendous growth over the year and still might earn an MLS spot, both have had growing pains.
Looking back historically, teams have typically not been dominant in the year before the move to MLS.
https://twitter.com/teffster/status/765162509510713344
The only team to have success in the year before MLS was Orlando, who came in first in the USL in 2014 only to lose in the first round of the playoffs that year.
While this is sure to make the pro/rel crowd foam at the mouth, success on the field just isn’t important for teams moving to MLS the following year.
Fans of Minnesota United FC are going to have to be ok with a front office content to essentially run out the season. Carl Craig will have to make due with the players he has.
Can coach Craig rally the squad for something better than a “good, middle of the pack” last season in NASL? Can the players come together for a run this fall before they go their separate ways as the NASL version of the team is no more? Will we see the team hoist a trophy at the end of the season?
As a fan, I hope so. I really do.
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