Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath revealed Tuesday — sort of — one of the other players the Major League Soccer expansion franchise contemplated selecting with first overall pick in the collegiate draft in January.

“We interviewed an English kid from the combine,” Heath said on the debut episode of his weekly radio show on ESPN 1500. “Nobody says anything when we do it. We just interview a kid, and he blew everybody away. He nearly convinced us to take him with the first pick.”

On Wednesday, Heath told the Pioneer Press that intriguing player was midfielder Joe Holland of Hofstra University. Related Articles Loons midfielder Thomas Chacon’s quiet first start of 2020 could be his only one

Michael Boxall: Minnesota United record holder and culture creator

Loons’ late rally falls short in 2-1 loss to Columbus Crew

Loons’ Adrian Heath, Kei Kamara believe they can strike simpatico partnership

Houston Dynamo scores twice in 2nd half to tie Minnesota United

“Joe spoke about how he had gone from a really nothing player to being arguably one of the best players at the combine,” Heath added. “He caught people’s eyes, and when you interviewed him, he spoke about training three or four times a day. … He made a decision that he was going to be two-footed. He trained every day, four times a day until he was natural with both feet. He was really impressive.”

Ultimately, United concluded that Abu Danladi, a forward from UCLA, was the most talented player and drafted him with the first pick. The Loons’ front office had concerns about his drive and his lengthy injury history with the Bruins, but the emigrate from Africa allayed those concerns, saying he tried to play through the hamstring injuries, instead of letting them heal.

“I loved it when I interviewed him,” Heath said of Danladi on the radio show. “Everything he said resonated with me. I loved his story from Ghana, and what he was trying to do for his family. He convinced me to take him with the first pick because of his interview.”

Danladi, who is listed as out with a right thigh injury for Thursday’s game at New York City, has two goals and two assists in 12 games this season. He had the game-winning goal in the 3-2 victory over Portland on June 21.

Holland was selected 10th overall by Houston and has played 12 minutes for the Dynamo this season.

“Speaking with the people in Houston, he is training really hard and he has a big personality,” Heath said Wednesday. “He was very impressive.”