Written By Nicolas Hallett
It seems like a counter-intuitive move for Minnesota’s local soccer franchise to continue to add forwards when it boasts the league’s leading scorer, Christian Ramirez.
United’s recent acquisitions could hint at bigger plans or shake-ups amongst the squad.
Ramirez, 23, has been in blistering form since joining Minnesota United at the start of the 2014 spring campaign, going from unknown to a headline name. Diehards know the squad, but if casual fans know one player it’s Ramirez. The Colombian-American striker has 10 goals in 14 appearances this term.
Ramirez hasn’t had to do all the scoring himself. Forward Daniel Mendes is red-hot, having scored four goals in five matches this fall for United. The Swedish Premier League veteran was named the North American Soccer League’s Player of the Week for his efforts.
United, currently on a nine-game unbeaten streak, won the NASL spring title and currently sits second in the standings for the fall season, with one game in hand and one point behind league-leaders San Antonio.
So why is United trying to add more offense?
United’s first addition to the forward ranks at the end of July was explained as a move to add depth. The Loons acquired 26-year-old Rafael Burgos on loan from SV Ried of Austra’s top division for the remainder of the fall season. Burgos features regularly for the El Salvador national team, scoring 10 goals in 31 appearances. He won the Golden Boot award (top scorer) in the 2011 Copa Centroamericana.
"We’ve been looking for a forward for a while now and he fits the bill," said Minnesota United Head Coach Manny Lagos at the time. "We lack a little depth at the forward position, and we want to continue to make sure that we are a balanced squad."
Now comes Pedro Mendes, a 24-year-old Brazilian from league rivals Indy Eleven, who United acquired on Thursday for cash considerations. Lagos’ response was generally ho-hum, again mentioning depth as impetus, but he did mention a hint as to the true intentions for the move.
“I think he’s got a lot of talent and a big upside for years to come,” said the United coach.
Indeed, the signing of Mendes, who has scored 12 goals in the NASL since 2012, including the 2013 Goal of the Season for Atlanta last year, feels more like a move for the future. It’s probable that Lagos could attempt to get Pedro on the field alongside Ramirez by deploying him as winger. Lagos’ formation of 4-1-4-1 operates with a lone striker up top. This would possibly mean less playing time for Simone Bracalello, Omar Daley and Jamie Watson.
The move hints that United is possibly preparing for bigger things. A move to Major League Soccer jumps to mind, as the league has held discussions with the team and sees the Twin Cities as model market, though such a move is still far off logistically.
Sources inside United say MLS clubs have been in contact as they eye the talent on showcase at the National Sports Center in Blaine. Loon fans may hate to hear it, but a big-money offer from a MLS club for rising star Ramirez could be on the cards. Considering Ramirez’s age and ability you might assume they’d keep him at all costs, but sometimes a mega offer is too good to refuse.
Pablo Campos, United’s top scorer last season, has been in his native country of Brazil attempting to return from a major knee injury he suffered this preseason.
Earlier this month, Lagos said Campos was scheduled to return to Blaine at the end of August but was unsure if he would recover in time to play any part this season.
“Knowing him he works really hard, so I think there’s a good chance,” Lagos said. “At the same time, I’m very cognizant of the injury he had and getting him back the right way.”
A setback in the veteran striker’s recovery process could have inspired United’s recent transactions.
In the end, with 13 regular season games remaining in a long and draining season, United may just be preparing for worst-case scenarios and injuries to the current crop.
For now what is certain is that United has strengthened what was an already formidable squad, and made a statement of intent regarding the NASL Soccer Bowl trophy.
Nicolas Hallett is a staff writer for 105 The Ticket. He recently graduated from the University of Minnesota and has written for the Murphy News Service, the Minnesota Daily and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Follow him on Twitter at @nicolashallett