Adrian Heath has been through some dark moments in his first few months in charge of Minnesota United but he can now "see a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel".

The Major League Soccer expansion team were written off by most pundits before the start of the season and their predictions appeared to be justified when the Loons lost three of their first four matches, conceding an alarming 18 goals.

The team have shown signs of gradual improvement, however, with two victories and a draw in their subsequent five games, leaving them just two points below the play-off positions.

Having being in charge of a previous MLS newcomer - Orlando City - Heath was fully aware of the challenges ahead when he was appointed by Minnesota but he is confident the club have turned a corner.

"It's never easy being an expansion team. I knew it was going to be tough in the first few months and that's how it's proved to be," Heath told The Telegraph in a telephone interview.

"Even in Orlando when we had a lot more structure and stability we weren't that prepared for the start of the first season.

"But the last few weeks I've felt we've made a right good go of it and I can see a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel."