Minnesota United FC announced Thursday two long-term contracts with outside defenders Justin Davis and Kevin Venegas.

United locking up two members of the North American Soccer League’s Best XI players from 2015 is another sign the Loons continue to build a roster with eyes on entering Major League Soccer in 2017 or 2018.

“They were arguably the best two outside defenders in the league,” United coach Carl Craig said in a statement. “Not just tight and wide defenders, but they bring so much to our offense. Both are maturing as players, both have improved year after year since they’ve been here, and I still think, in all honesty, that the best is yet to come.”

Davis, 27, was the highest-scoring defender in NASL last season with five goals, and he played a team-high 2,609 minutes in 29 games last season.

“Minnesota was the first team to take a chance on me as a rookie,” Davis said in a statement, “and I look forward to taking this next step with the club.”

Venegas, 26, had six assists, which tied a club single-season record, and played 2,453 minutes in 28 games in 2015.

“Since I was drafted by Chivas USA in 2012, I haven’t been given another opportunity to play in the MLS,” Venegas said in a statement. “Being signed to a long-term contract here in Minnesota gives me that opportunity which I feel I have worked hard for since the minute I was released.”

Terms of the players’ contracts will not be disclosed, per club and league policy.

United has six players from last year’s NASL Best XI all-star team on its roster. This offseason, the Loons added midfielder Lance Laing of FC Edmonton and forward Stefano Pinho of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The returning players from the Best XI also include midfielder Ibson and forward Christian Ramirez.

United begin training next Monday and will travel to Portland, Ore., to play three preseason matches against MLS teams Feb. 21-27.

United’s NASL regular season starts April 2 at the Carolina RailHawks; the home opener is April 16 against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at the National Sports Center in Blaine.