Minnesota United today announced it has traded defender Francisco Calvo to Chicago Fire for $100,000 in General Allocation Money and $50,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2019 and $100,000 in General Allocation Money and $150,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2020. Minnesota United could receive an additional $125,000 in TAM if Calvo meets certain performance metrics with the Chicago Fire, along with retaining considerations on a potential future transfer of the player outside of MLS.

“We thank Francisco for his two-plus years of service with the club,” said MNUFC Sporting Director Manny Lagos. “He was a big part of our growth into Major League Soccer and has been a great asset to our Minnesota community. We wish him all the best in the future.”

The 2018 MLS All-Star and former Minnesota United captain has been a consistent presence for the Loons since the club joined MLS in 2017. Calvo started seven games for the Loons in 2019, scoring a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps on March 2, leading to Minnesota United’s first season-opening win in the club’s MLS history.

Calvo, 26, was signed in December 2017 from the Costa Rican club Saprissa. During his first season with the Loons, Calvo started in all 27 matches where he featured. He scored two goals on the year, including the first in a comeback 2-2 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC and an 81st-minute header in a 3-2 defeat at San Jose Earthquakes. Calvo also earned a spot in the MLS Team of the Week in Week 13 for his role in Minnesota’s clean-sheet win over Orlando City SC.

In 2018, Calvo returned as the team’s captain and started all 26 games he played in, missing only five games due to international duty with the Costa Rica National Team. The defender has 42 appearances with the Costa Rica National Team, scoring four goals. He started all five of Costa Rica's 2017 Gold Cup matches, scoring once en route to a semifinal appearance, where Los Ticos lost 2-0 to the United States. Calvo also featured heavily for his national team in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He started and played a full 90 minutes for Costa Rica in their World Cup Group E opener against Serbia, a 1-0 defeat, and came off the bench in a 2-0 loss to Brazil.

A standout for his club and country in defense and on set pieces, Calvo made a name for himself at Saprissa by scoring goals from set plays. In 28 matches during the 2016 season, he tallied nine goals and one assist, with six strikes in league play. An integral member of the Saprissa defensive line, he was a consistent starter in 2016 and helped the club earn a place in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. In 2015, he scored two goals in the first leg of the Torneo de Invierno final, leading Saprissa to its 32nd title. Calvo has also spent time with Herediano, Perez Zeledon, Danish champions Nordsjælland (January to summer 2013) and Santos de Guapiles at the senior level. His youth career also kicked off at Saprissa, where he featured from 2005 to 2010 before moving to the U.S. to study at San Jacinto College.

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Transaction: Minnesota United today announced it has traded defender Francisco Calvo to Chicago Fire for $100,000 in General Allocation Money and $50,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2019, and $100,000 in General Allocation Money and $150,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2020. Minnesota United could receive an additional $125,000 in TAM if Calvo meets certain performance metrics with the Chicago Fire, along with retaining considerations on a potential future transfer of the player outside of MLS.

VITALS

Francisco Calvo

Position: Defender

Date of birth: 07.08.1992

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 170 lbs

Hometown: San Jose, Costa Rica

Citizenship: Costa Rica