Preseason in Arizona and the list of trialists and invitees

To start, a few photos of training courtesy of Minnesota United:

Sights from the desert ????

[???? » https://t.co/PDcnZhC3h5]#MNUFC pic.twitter.com/0Bal00yDjV

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) January 24, 2017

Yesterday, United released a list of the players present in Arizona on the first day of preseason training. On that list were a number of players participating, but not presently signed to a contract with the club:

• Andrew Tinari (trialist)
• Ismaila Jome (preseason invitee)
• Lance Laing (preseason invitee)
• Tiago Calvano (preseason invitee)
• Duke LaCroix (trialist)
• Eugene Starikov (trialist)
• Raul Gonzalez (trialist)
• David Goldsmith (trialist)
  

Jamaican defender Jermaine Taylor signs with Minnesota

Jermaine Taylor, who spent 2016 making 23 appearances for the Portland Timbers, has been signed by United. While shorter than the typical defender, Taylor brings flexibility, having played both center back and full back. The Jamaican international is expected to compete for playing time and gives the Loons four players capable of slotting in at center back — something that feels like a luxury compared to recent seasons.

News bits

• USMNT and Seattle Sounder attacker Clint Dempsey has been medically cleared to return to the pitch.
• It’s finally official: Rasmus Schüller (my new favorite player) has inked a deal and is just waiting for his work visa.
• Another rumored addition, Bernardo Añor, has signed with Minnesota United. Previously on loan to Minnesota from Sporting Kansas City, Añor spent much of 2016 injured.
• Freddy Adu, who spent the last two seasons with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, is currently on trial with the Portland Timbers.
• Ben Speas has made it official and will be joining Indy Eleven for the 2017 season. Good luck to a great player as he tries to help Indy get back to the NASL postseason. When Speas was healthy, Minnesota was at its best in 2016.
• Minneapolis City will visit Des Moines Menace for the second year in a row. The friendly is scheduled for June 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Valley Stadium in Des Moines.
• Steve McPherson has joined Minnesota United FC as a writer.