Name cred remains a work in progress for Minnesota United FC.

With topical soccer talk focused on the World Cup or a possible Major League Soccer franchise in Minnesota, the North American Soccer League champions can turn heads by beating the defending MLS champs, Sporting KC, in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday in Kansas City, Kan.

With an upgrade of 10 new players this year, United coach Manny Lagos said the goal is for his club is to be among the best on the continent. To do so, the second-tiered NASL club will have to beat the best.

“I think (Sporting KC is) probably considered the best team in North America the last three years,” Lagos said. “They have developed a really challenging style of soccer for teams to play against, particularly at home with their brand-new, modern stadium. They have a great crowd. It’s going to be a great challenge for us.”

The challenge, however, is altered by Kansas City playing without central defender Matt Besler and midfielder Graham Zusi, both of whom competed in the U.S. national team’s 2-1 win over Ghana on Monday in the World Cup. Besler started the match before leaving with an injury at halftime; Zusi was a second-half substitute and provided the corner kick for John Brooks’ winning goal.

“Besler is a great player,” Lagos said. “We have to be aware of that, and if there are some issues and areas that they have in that part of the field, hopefully we will be able to exploit.”

Waiting to take advantage will be attacker Christian Ramirez, who leads United with five goals and four assists this season.

“We have to know that there are stretches in the game where we have to dictate the tempo and take advantage of our chances,” Ramirez said.

United (6-1-2) has scored 16 goals in NASL play, and their offense clicks when the ball is shared.

“The ball is moving, and guys are getting touches,” midfielder Aaron Pitchkolan said. “We are maintaining possession and getting dangerous chances after good crosses.”

Zusi is Sporting KC’s playmaker.

“Graham will really be missed by them,” Lagos said. “He is their engine and stalwart player and steadiness on the right side coming in and creating good crosses.”

If United beats Sporting KC, it would be a bonus game in what the Minnesota club is billing as the “Summer of Soccer.” Already on the docket are home matches at the National Sports Center in Blaine against Mexico’s under-21 national team July 4 and English Premier League’s Swansea City on July 19.

A win Wednesday would mean hosting a fifth-round match in the U.S. Open Cup against either the Portland Timbers of MLS or the Premier Development League’s Orlando City’s under-23 club June 24 or 25.

That would be another opportunity for United to become a household name.

“It’s an exciting summer for everybody involved,” Pitchkolan said. “You don’t get the opportunity to play premiership teams and opportunities to play MLS teams as well. It’s exciting for all the guys, and hopefully we can build on the momentum.”

Follow Andy Greder at twitter.com/andygreder.

MLS ReSUMe

As the Thunder, Stars and now United, Minnesota clubs have gone 4-5 against teams from the often higher-level Major League Soccer. Two of those losses came in shootouts.

2012: San Jose Earthquakes 1, Minnesota Stars FC 0

2012: Stars 3, Real Salt Lake 1

2009: Kansas City Wizards 3, Minnesota Thunder 3 (4-2 in shootout)

2005: San Jose Earthquakes 2, Thunder 2 (5-4 in shootout)

2005: Thunder 6, Real Salt Lake 4

2005: Thunder 3, K.C. Wizards 1

2004: Thunder 1, Los Angeles Galaxy 0

2002: L.A. Galaxy 4, Thunder 0

2000: Dallas Burn 2, Thunder 0