Minnesota United is expected to pick up forward Brandon Allen on loan from the New York Red Bulls, a source told the Pioneer Press on Monday.

Reports on Sunday said the Loons were interested in acquiring Allen, a 23-year-old player from New Jersey. That transaction between Major League Soccer clubs became more substantive Monday. Allen would be able to officially join United once the summer transfer window opens next Monday.

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Loons set new record low in 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City Allen’s loan from New York would last through the end of this MLS season in October. It is unclear if there’s an option for Minnesota to buy his contract from New York.

Allen has played one game for Red Bulls since 2016. He was on their United Soccer League affiliate Red Bulls II and won USL’s rookie of the year award with a rookie-record 15 goals last season.

Allen would provide depth for the Loons behind starting striker Christian Ramirez, who has 10 goals this season.

The Allen acquisition might indicate the first of several moves, likely trades, the Loons could make within the league this summer, a second source indicated.

United coach Adrian Heath indicted Monday that the club continues to look for a few roster additions to build depth for the second half of their debut season in MLS.

Last week, Scottish winger Sam Nicholson and United agreed to terms on a contract to join Minnesota, a source said.

U.S. TEAM WATCHING RAMIREZ

When the U.S. men’s national team announced it’s 40-man preliminary roster for the Gold Cup on June 3, United’s Christian Ramirez was left off despite eight goals in his first MLS season.

Ramirez was dejected over not being invited and said a month ago that he hadn’t heard from coach Bruce Arena or others with the national team. But national team officials did reach out to the Loons around that time last month, Heath said Monday.

“They let us know that they are following” him, he said. “It’s a nice little thing to be dangled out there for (Ramirez), that if he continues with his form, it’s not going unnoticed.”

Ramirez’s scored his 10th goal in the 3-1 loss to New York on Thursday. Ramirez, of Garden Grove, Calif., is the top American goal scorer in MLS so far this season and is tied for third overall.

“If he can get around 20 goals, that would be an incredible first season,” Heath said. “If he does, that will probably be enough to get him a call-up.”

BRIEFLY

United will not have fireworks after the conclusion of the Fourth of July match against the Columbus Crew at TCF Bank Stadium. But the 6 p.m. kickoff time was bumped up an hour to allow time for people to attend other displays.