When its season starts Saturday, United FC will continue its effort to ingrain its newer brand of professional soccer in Minnesota.

Meanwhile, another brand is being bandied about: Major League Soccer.

Minneapolis is considered a front-runner for a final spot in MLS expansion plans to reach 24 teams by 2020, a league source told Sports Illustrated this week.

Also, Twins owner Jim Pohlad confirmed this week that his family is interested in investing in a possible MLS franchise with United owner Bill McGuire.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is expected to pay between $70 million and $100 million to bring an expansion franchise to Atlanta, possibly in 2017, SI.com said.

“MLS would be smart to pick a city like Minneapolis,” said Aaron Pitchkolan, a United defender who played five years in MLS. “I think there is a lot of support here for a team.”

In January 2013, the North American Soccer League sold its Minnesota franchise to McGuire, the former United Health Group CEO who a few years ago made Forbes’ list of 400 richest Americans with a net worth of more than $1 billion. McGuire rebranded the franchise as Minnesota United FC last March after previous pro soccer iterations in Minnesota went by the names Stars, Thunder and Kicks.

This year’s United club opens the season Saturday at San Antonio, with the home opener April 25 at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

United President Nick Rogers, McGuire’s son-in-law, acknowledged speculation about the MLS but said many investments have been made for the United to compete in the NASL and beyond.

The $1.2 million budget the team operated within when it was owned by the league has been “significantly increased,” Rogers said.

The team also has spent $1 million for new offices and practice facilities within the addition to the Bielenberg Sports Center in Woodbury, which is set to open this summer. The indoor center will boast a full-size turf pitch.

“The goal with that is to provide our team with the best training facilities possible,” Rogers said, “so that we can train the way we want to as an elite club.”

United has secured a TV deal for all of it home games to be aired on KSTC-TV Channel 45, Rogers said. The United drew about 3,000 to 4,000 fans for home games last season.

Before the season, United went to England and was the first U.S. pro team to train at St. George’s Park, the newer practice center for the English national team. They played well in a friendly match against Derby County, a team vying for promotion to the English Premier League. United also hopes to play some MLS teams in the U.S. Open Cup this year.

“We’ll see where we stack up against some clubs that people are more familiar with,” Rogers said.

United, which finished third in the NASL last year and won the league championship in 2011, said its focus is on winning the league again this year.

“The nice thing right now is where we are with the ownership group,” said United coach Manny Lagos, in his fifth year with the franchise. “And the goal is to have the best team in North America.”

Staff writers Charley Walters and Bob Shaw contributed to this report. Follow Andy Greder at twitter.com/andygreder.