By Phil Luetchford (@luetchy10) and Drew Olsen (@drewjolsen)

Minnesota United is new to MLS, but unlike fellow expansion side Atlanta United (everyone is united nowadays) this is not an entirely new team. The Loons leave the NASL, where they have played under a few other names since 2010. While it's a club with a solid history and strong supporters, for most MLS and USMNT fans Minnesota didn't enter their consciousness until October 2014, when winger Miguel Ibarra became the first 2nd division player to train with the national team since 2005. He was called up five times by Jurgen Klinsmann, and parlayed that international exposure into a contract with Club Leon in the summer of 2015, before returning to sign with Minnesota this season. But while Ibarra is certainly an attacking threat, he never led the team in scoring. For each of the last three seasons that’s been Christian Ramirez, who led the NASL in scoring two of the last three years (he finished 2nd in 2015).

They’re also joined by three other NASL squad players that made the final MLS team, which all goes to say that this is anything but a new franchise. Don't tell Ted, but this has the feel of a newly promoted team adding to the fringes of an already solid core of players. Still, there isn't much MLS experience, so to help mitigate that lack of league understanding they’ve hired Adrian Heath, who managed Orlando City through their transition from the lower levels of the US Soccer pyramid into MLS. While they waited until late to get started, he’s made made some key additions and brought in some old friends, opting for a more conventional style of expansion, a la Montreal, Vancouver, and Portland rather than NYC or Atlanta. Only time will tell if they've made the right choice.

Positional Expectations

Goalkeeper

Coming from IFK Göteborg to start between the sticks is former Swedish international John Alvbåge. At 34, he’s spent almost the last two decades playing in Sweden and Denmark, and is a veteran of the 2006 World Cup. They also traded for Bobby Shuttleworth from New England, who has been the starter there for the last four seasons. If Alvbåge doesn’t turn out to be as good as they hope, then he should be able to fill in capably. Patrick McLain was picked up from Orlando to be the 3rd string ‘keeper.

Defense

Starting on the left side of the defense will probably be NASL callup Justin Davis. He’s been with the team since 2011 and will bring a good bit of experience and stability to the back line. On the right will either be the similarly experienced (he’s been with the team since 2012) Kevin Venegas, or Jerome Thiesson, who comes on a transfer from Switzerland and will probably be the long-term starting right back. The team brought in Trinidad international outside back Alvin Jones for a trial but ultimately didn't sign him, though that probably hints at the fact it’s a position where they want to add some depth. If there are any more additions to the team in the next few weeks, fullback is probably where they’ll be.

Managing the left center of defense will be Costa Rica international Francisco Calvo, who is fresh off his first international goal versus Honduras at the end of January. Next to Calvo will be Norwegian international Vadim Demidov, who has experience with Real Sociedad and Eintract Frankfurt, but comes most recently from Brann in the Tippeligaen. This is a solid and experienced halfback core, something conventional wisdom says is vital for an expansion side.

Providing defensive depth will be Joe Greenspan and MLS veteran Jermaine Taylor, who will provide versatility and experience in case of injury.

Midfield/Forward