Carl Craig is facing the audition of a lifetime.

After coaching in the United States for over 20 years, the genial Geordie has been handed the reins at Minnesota United FC, who are on the verge of playing in Major League Soccer and a new state-of-the-art stadium.

It is rich reward for the former Newcastle United academy player who joined Minnesota's coaching staff in 2010 and has coached at various lower levels in the state since moving there in 1994.

Yet Craig knows that the spotlight will shine brighter than ever on Minnesota United this season as they begin to make the transition from the NASL to MLS.

Minnesota are poised to move to the top tier next season (although there is a slim chance it could be 2018) and every result and performance this season will be seen through an MLS prism.

Put bluntly if Minnesota, who reached the NASL Soccer Bowl semi-finals last season, have a successful campaign then the coaching and playing staff are likely to remain in tact for the move up a division but if they fare badly then a massive shake-up can be expected.

After all, if a team do badly in NASL what chance of success do they have in MLS?