Atlanta United and Minnesota United have now gone through two expansion drafts, the waiver draft which was most recent in which no side picked up any players. Nevertheless, both sides are starting to come together after picking five top picks in the first expansion draft recently. Both sides picked their top five draft picks and they were some of the best picks possible.

As we can see from Atlanta United’s side of things, they are putting together a squad of player’s that they believe can win the MLS Cup in their inaugural season. This helps when you have a manager like “Tata” Martino managing your side and using the experience of both himself and their scouts to scout top South American talent for the Club.

This is especially true when you consider the signing of Miguel Almiron as their first DP (Designated Player) signing before any Expansion Draft. They made a real steal when signing Almiron from Argentina, as he is considered to be one of South America’s most promising upcoming playmaker’s. Distinguished for his craftiness and exceptional passing ability, the young Paraguayan midfielder has turned the heads of some of the world’s top clubs.

One of the players though from the Expansion Draft that stood out for me was Mikey Ambrose who Atlanta United acquired from Orlando City SC. The 23 year old is a defender who stands at 5 foot 9 inches tall.When Ambrose left college, it was because he left along with his club side, the Austin Aztex who moved to USL. In August of 2016, he would sign with Orlando City. A powerful defender, will be certainly one to keep an eye on come the start of both the MLS and MLS Fantasy season.

As for Minnesota United

Not as far along as Atlanta United, but not too far behind. Minnesota United made some excellent draft picks of their own during the Expansion Draft. Let’s start with the manager Adrian Heath, Minnesota United brought in Adrian Heath during the off-season, after the manager took some time away from the MLS game, after getting the sack from Orlando City SC. He will be hoping that he can get things off the ground and redeem himself when he takes the reigns in Minnesota United’s inaugural MLS campaign.

“The Loons” first preseason in MLS has certainly been much more muted than their Atlanta United counterparts, Minnesota have focused on getting the right backroom team in place and building “from the ground, up.” Now, Minnesota did make five very interesting signings during the Expansion Draft, bringing in the likes of, Johan Venegas, Collen Warner Mohammed Saeid, Jeff Attinella and Femi Hollinger-Janzen. Some interesting moves and exciting moves in my opinion.

From the looks of it, from an outsider looking in, Minnesota United seem to be building a squad to challenge in MLS, unlike their United namesakes in Atlanta who seem to be building on top name stars to showcase their team.

What can definitely be said, is that it has been a very interesting off-season so far and in January of the New Year, it will become even more interesting when the MLS Combine takes place in Los Angeles and all 22 MLS sides have the chance to take a look at some of the exciting prospects coming out of College.

More on that, closer to the time.