In addition, Kevin Molino and Ethan Finlay returned from ACL injuries. Throw in the timely improvements of 2018 MLS Super Draft pick Mason Toye and the Loons almost had a complete MLS team. It is not easy to overstate how monumental these offseason signings and draft picks were. The Loons added six starters to the back seven, and that is not counting utility player, Hassani “only scores bangers” Dotson. The only starter to return from the 2018 campaign was Michael Boxall, who flourished with a new set of teammates. For the non-MNUFC fans out there, we would be remiss not to explain how crucial it was for the club to move on from 2017 opening day starter Francisco Calvo. Even after all of these stellar off-season additions, the Loons defense at the beginning of 2019 was poor (giving up 13 goals in seven games). The common denominator was Calvo and his inability to mark a single soul. Parcel that with his poor attitude, shoddy captainship, and overpriced ego, the Loons shipped him out in early May (thanks Chicago!). After his departure, the captain’s armband was quickly given to Alonso and the defense became the second stingiest in the MLS from that point on, allowing only 30 goals on 31.4 xGA in 27 games.

Previously we mentioned that the Loons were ‘almost’ a complete MLS team. Despite a solid attack in 2017 and 2018, the MNUFC offense, while not being bad, was largely inconsistent and padded its statistics with a 7-1 drubbing of the USL side FC Cincinnati. The underlying issue with the attack was multifaceted, including the sale of Superman Christian Ramirez, the drop in form of Batman Miguel Ibarra (3.56 PAR in 2018 to -1.86 PAR in 2019), and disappointing summer transaction Robin Lod (zero G+A on 1.8xG+xA in 583 MLS minutes). But the largest issue, to put in bluntly, was that MNUFC DPs Darwin Quintero and Angelo Rodriguez did not produce and were outright bad for large stretches of games.

Offseason (So Far…)

Going into the 2020 offseason, MNUFC had three critical areas to shore up: goalkeeper (Mannone was on loan in 2019), finding true difference makers in the attack, and the overall depth of an old roster. From the onset, the MNUFC front office has preached the need to get younger and more dynamic in the attack. So far, it has stuck to its word by adding mostly players age 26 or younger (the one exception being 27 year old James Musa). Additionally, MNUFC signed young DP Thomas Chacon (19 years old) during the summer transfer window of 2019 and is in pursuit of Boca Juniors attacking midfielder Emanuel Reynoso (24 years old).

Tactical Outlook and Managerial Outlook

The dichotomy of Adrian Heath is difficult to explain to non-MNUFC fans. On the positive, his teams have ALWAYS played hard regardless of talent level and have always pushed for better results. On the negative, his subbing patterns are often late or nonexistent, he is guilty of playing favorites, and he seems to alienate certain players. The good news is that in 2019 he finally benched or traded negative performing players such as Calvo, Quintero, and Rodriguez. He also finally realized that three subs are allowed and showed some tactical nuance (watch the LAFC vs MNUFC games). Overall, he is probably a net positive as a manager, but 2020 will be a test to see how he manages a roster with legitimate MLS depth.

Tactically, Heath will play a standard 4-5-1 about 90% of the time. On the offensive end, he prefers fullbacks to push very high, overloading the flanks, and has the #6 stay relatively deep to create a pseudo-back three. This results in an offensive that is heavy on the crossing and requires very athletic fullbacks. He generally gives free range to his #10 and expects the #9 to be glued to the center backs. In addition, Heath allows his wingers to cut inside and to switch sides on occasion. In the other 10%, the Loons will lineup in a 4-3-3 or, more likely in 2020, as a 3-5-2. In 2019, the 4-3-3 used was honestly a disaster (see US Open Cup final), but MNUFC had good success in the 3-5-2 (see both LAFC matches).

The Loons’ roster is difficult to project because they have two players who are the probably the first backup for at least three positions on day one (Chacon and Dotson). There is also a chance that the Loons’ best player is currently not on the roster, as they still have a DP slot available. Heath definitely has the pieces to tinker with the formation because this team has a ton of versatile players. We would personally love to see the 3-5-2 at some point this year.

From a style-of-play standpoint, the Loons are fast, rangy, and capable of winning 50:50 battles. From a purely visual standpoint, MNUFC rarely loses one-on-one battles, particularly Opara, Boxall, and Metanire. They do not thrive with the ball (2019 possession was 44%) and are successful when playing direct. They are hard to pinpoint as they are not a full throttle pressing team, or a complete bunker-and-counter team, but they are 100% not a tiki taka team. Overall, they succeed when they can defensively suffocate teams and then launch a quick counter. In addition, their set pieces improved in 2019. 2018 saw the Loons finish last in the league with five goals on set pieces; 2019 saw this number increase to eight with the addition of free kick taker Jan Gregus and the aerial threat of Ike Opara (three goals).

Goalkeepers

The Loons probably dodged a financial bullet when Mannone turned down an offer to make him the most expensive MLS goalkeeper. Instead, they sent a minor amount of MLS Monopoly Money for Tyler Miller, who happens to be domestic, younger, half-priced, and possibly better, than the 2019 Goalkeeper of the Year. At least by GA-xGA (+1.49 vs. -3.21), Miller was the more reliable shot stopper. In addition, they selected Gregory Ranjitsingh in the Waiver Draft as the primary backup, signed first Homegrown Player Fred Emmings, and loaned out top 2018 MLS Super Draft pick Dayne St. Clair to the USL. Overall, this group is deep, young, and loaded with potential.

Defenders

The Boxall-Opara pairing figures to continue its dominance again this year. Ike is arguably the best in the league at putting out fires, giving Boxall the ability to play more aggressively, pressuring forwards checking back for the ball. Kallman and Aja figure to be solid depth options if Boxall takes a knock. Opara remains the most irreplaceable piece on this team, but has put together a few years in a row of sustained health, playing in 30 or more league games the last three seasons.