Swiss full-back Jérôme Thiesson was one of Minnesota United’s most consistent players in 2017. MLS Multiplex sat down with him to talk about his MLS move.

Ahead of the 2018 season, I talked with Minnesota United full-back Jérôme Thiesson about what prompted his MLS move, his first impressions of the league, and what he thinks about Minnesota.

MLS Multiplex: When choosing your next career move, what made MLS (and Minnesota) so appealing to you?

Jérôme Thiesson: After nine years of playing in the Swiss Super League and playing every team four times a year, I just needed and wanted a change. I wanted a new experience. At my age and status, it was not very realistic to make a move to one of the top European leagues, so I kept my eyes open for 2. Bundesliga, Segunda División, when suddenly MLS came up and I was immediately very interested because of course, for a Swiss guy seeking a change what would suit better?

And it was a first division. My wife has always been very fond of the States and was okay with the idea, so I started asking players who already had experience in MLS. It didn’t take a long time at all to know that this was what I wanted to do.

Speaking about Minnesota: It took a pretty long time to understand how the MLS system works and how it was possible that Minnesota would get into the league without a system of promotion and relegation like Europe. But understanding that I would get the opportunity to play with the team during its first season in the history of the franchise just made me absolutely want to come here.

I figured we would write history in every game we played and this was actually one of the things I enjoyed the most about this past season. Our first point in Colorado, the first win against Real Salt Lake, first away win in Chicago. Being a part of all these big moments in this fantastic clubs’ history means the world to me.