MATT KREMKAU - EMPIRE OF SOCCER

by DAVE MARTINEZ

Just days after New York Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese was revealed as a candidate for the Minnesota United head coaching job, sources tell EoS a front runner has emerged — and it isn’t the three-time Soccer Bowl winning coach.

EoS has learned that Adrian Heath, formerly of Orlando City SC, is all but set to take the reins with the Loons.

Heath, 55, was dismissed from his post as the head coach of Orlando City this past July. Over the course of two seasons, the Newcastle native posted a 26-31-21 record at the helm of the Lions. Prior to his stint with Orlando, he was coaching the team under the USL banner, leading Orlando to a USL PRO title in 2011 and 2014. His experience in transitioning Orlando from the third division to MLS is considered an invaluable asset that makes him a standout in the race for Minnesota’s head coaching gig.

This isn’t the first time the former Orlando boss has been connected to Minnesota. Heath’s name emerged as early as September, with ESPN FC reporting him among the team’s top candidates. Along with Heath and Savarese, the team is also speaking to former Sounders boss Sigi Schmid, though he is considered a dark horse candidate.

It is worth noting, however, that Minnesota based news site FiftyFiveOne have Savarese as the team’s top candidate. If so, his possible addition would take several weeks to settle.