Nick Rogers, the Minnesota United president, describes this year as "more stressful than most" - and it is not hard to see why.

Minnesota have just five months to prepare for their inaugural MLS season yet they are also fighting to extend their final NASL campaign for as long as possible.

Focusing on the present and planning for the future is a tricky balancing act, indeed. "We've got a tremendous amount of work to do," Rogers says. He's not kidding.

The weekend just gone is a case in point. On Saturday, Minnesota defeated FC Edmonton 3-1 to regain control of the fourth and final place for the NASL play-offs.

The following day, the club took a major step in the process to build their first MLS roster by securing the first pick in the 2017 SuperDraft, which features leading college players.

If they can find another Cyle Larin or a Jack Harrison (the last two No 1 picks), they will have done extremely well.