Minnesota United FC didn’t treat its home fans to a good show in a 4-0 defeat to Miami FC on Saturday, but on their way out of the National Sports Center in Blaine, supporters received a save-the-date card.

The two-sided card was printed with the Major League Soccer and Loons logos, Aug. 19, “be there” and “#NextStopMLS” on it. It is expected that is when Minnesota will announce its inclusion in the top domestic league in 2017.

Commissioner Don Garber and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will be in attendance at the to-be-disclosed location, which is expected to be announced this week, a source told the Pioneer Press.

Minnesota was awarded the MLS expansion franchise in March 2015, but it was uncertain when it would join the league, either 2017 or 2018. It should join MLS with Atlanta, bringing the league to 22 teams.

Minnesota, however, has yet to finalize its plans with the state Legislature to receive a property tax exemption for its proposed 21,500-seat stadium in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood. The projected special Legislative session and St. Paul City Council is expected to meet the week of the MLS announcement and could help propel the stadium initiative. The $200 million stadium was initially planned to be online in 2018, and United is expected to play next season in the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium.

The official MLS news, which was alluded to by Garber during the MLS All-Star Game on July 28, will trigger Minnesota’s use of MLS player contracts, as well as details on the club’s plans for its youth academy and other key building blocks.

The card was absent the word “United,” which has been believed to be on the chopping block since this winter when MLS filed a U.S. trademark on “Minnesota FC.” At Saturday’s match, team merchandise, much printed with “United,” had discounted prices. The team has not commented on a possible name change.

Back to Saturday: United suffered its worst loss since the Minnesota club was called the Stars in 2012. After losing only once in nine home matches in 2016, The Loons were too hospitable to Miami.

Minnesota’s defense turned over the front-door keys in the first half, and Miami threw a house party, with three goals in the opening 26 minutes, and coasted to a 4-0 win in a North American Soccer League match. In front of 9,040 fans, United (3-2-2) coughed up a chance to move up the fall season table and are now tied with Miami (3-1-2).

“It’s embarrassing,” said United midfielder Danny Cruz. “Everybody in that locker room is absolutely fuming right now. … I haven’t been that mad the entire season.”

Former United midfielder Jonny Steele put the visitors up 1-0 in the ninth minute with a shot from about 23 yards out. Steele’s attempt deflected off United defensive midfielder Jack Blake and past goalie Steward Ceus.

That opening goal was a bit fluky, but then the Loons flunked. Before Saturday, United hadn’t given up three goals or more in a span of 11 matches dating to the four they surrendered in a defeat to Indy Eleven on May 21.

In the 21st minute Saturday, Miami’s Dario Cvitanich sliced a pass between center backs Tiago Calvano and Brent Kallman and put it to Ariel Martinez’s foot. Martinez drew United goalie Steward Ceus off his line and netted it.

“We got to get pressure on the ball,” coach Carl Craig said. “It’s willy nilly in the midfield and that pocket and (they’re) clipping stuff over the top. We’re not quick enough at the back to deal with stuff over the top.”

Five minutes later, Miami’s Jonathan Borrajo’s pass met a streaking Kwadwo Poku, who ran through Calvano and right back Damion Lowe, and Poku scored the third goal. Aaron Dennis added the fourth goal in the 87th minute.

“We keep giving up just (expletive) goals,” Cruz said. “It’s tough to pull yourself out when you are giving up goals. … We have to do better from the front to the back.”

Through 21 matches this season, the Loons have yet to use the same lineup in consecutive contests. Against Bournemouth of the Premier League on July 20, United lost right back Kevin Venegas to a left knee injury, and Craig has sat Sammy Ndjock in favor of Ceus after Ndjock’s bad own goal against the Cherries.

Craig called the first half “a disgrace,” but backed off later saying, “We are running on low; we’re not running on empty.”

On Saturday, United lost midfielder Stefano Pinho to what could be a serious knee injury. The Loons’ second-leading scorer with four goals was taken off in the 29th minute. Craig said he would wait to hear from team doctors before commenting. The team planned an update early this week on Pinho and Damion Lowe, who exited with an injury in the second half.