When Francisco Calvo selected Minnesota United over other MLS suitors in December 2016, the integral central defender and club captain said Loons coach Adrian Heath’s visit to his native Costa Rica was instrumental in his decision.

The same page of the playbook is being used as Heath and sporting director Manny Lagos traveled Wednesday to Panama to work on a transfer deal to acquire Colombian attacker Darwin Quintero, who would be the biggest-profile signing for the Loons in their year-plus in MLS.

The fact that Heath left United’s midweek training sessions days before Saturday’s home opener against Chicago at TCF Bank Stadium shows the importance of his visit to watch Quintero’s Mexican team, Club America, play FC Tauro in Panama on Wednesday. Quintero was credited with an assist in the America’s 3-1 win.

Heath has described this as a scouting mission, but a source said the trip holds much higher aspirations to reach an agreement to bring in Quintero, 30, who could be inserted into injured Kevin Molino’s spot. The Loons will be displaying their interest, while gauging if Quintero’s demeanor would fit into Minnesota’s mission, the source said.

DEFENSIVE PROGRESS

After giving up three goals in the season-opening 3-2 loss to San Jose, the Loons allowed just one — on a penalty kick — in the 2-1 win over Orlando City last Saturday.

“We harped on … making them beat you instead of giving them opportunities like we did in San Jose,” goalkeeper Matt Lampson said. “I thought it was excellent, and we just need to continue that.” Related Articles Houston Dynamo scores twice in 2nd half to tie Minnesota United

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The Loons (1-1) needed a clearance off the goal line from midfielder Ibson in the 90th minute. “Most people don’t see him particularly for his defensive stuff, but he does a lot of defensive work for us,” Loons center back Michael Boxall said. “He sealed the three points for us.”

While Orlando’s attack was shorthanded without striker Dom Dwyer and midfielder Sacha Kljestan, Chicago will arrive with 2017 MLS Golden Boot winner Nemanja Nikolic, who scored a league-high 24 goals last season. He scored twice in the Fire’s season-opening 4-3 loss to Kansas City on Saturday.

Boxall said the objective is to deny Nikolic service inside the box, particularly from crosses.

“If you look at the goals he scores, he is always moving in and around in the box,” Boxall said. “I think he’s got great service, so we are expecting another big game from (fullbacks Tyrone Mears and Jerome Thiesson) to stop the delivery and obviously whoever is in the box we need to pick our spots again.”

FANS TURNING OUT

In front of about 300 people at a joint chamber of commerce luncheon Wednesday, United CEO Chris Wright said the amount of season ticket holders has eclipsed 13,000 for TCF Bank Stadium this season, and the club is determining what level to impose a cap as they head into 19,400-seat Allianz Field in St. Paul next spring.

United is anticipating a sellout of the lower bowl for Saturday’s opener on St. Patrick’s Day. That amount has been pegged at 21,895 fans.

Wright also teased during the luncheon with business leaders and Loons players that the new stadium could host international matches as soon as next year.

BRIEFLY

Winger Sam Nicholson continued his recovery Wednesday from a hamstring tweak suffered in the second half of Saturday’s game in Orlando. Heath said Tuesday that Nicholson should be OK to play this weekend. …. With Heath in Panama, Wednesday’s practice was run by assistant coach Mark Watson, who has head coaching experience with San Jose.