Loons add New Zealander James Musa, but he won't take international spot

Minnesota United on Friday added a second player in as many days who won't occupy an international roster spot by signing New Zealander James Musa.

After dealing Thursday with LAFC for American goalkeeper Tyler Miller, the Loons reached into the USL Championship league to add Musa, a 6-1 defensive midfielder/defender. He played one game for Sporting Kansas City in 2017 and has played professionally in England, Australia and New Zealand.

Musa has his U.S. green card, which means he won't occupy one of the team's international spots. He is the third New Zealander on the roster, joining veteran Michael Boxall and recent first-round draft pick Noah Billingsley.

Musa, 27, joins a defensive midfield that has Ozzie Alonso, Jan Gregus and Hassani Dotson ahead of him.

United coach Adrian Heath in a team statement called James "one of the players who has been in and out of the league, and he has been on that cusp of being in the league."

Heath called Musa "very imposing" physically, "very athletic," "very strong-willed" with a "really good personality."

"He knows it's going to be tough, but he's prepared to embrace the challenge and compete for a starting spot,'' Heath said. "He's got the opportunity, so it's up to him to take it."

Musa played the past two seasons for Phoenix Rising in the USL Championship league and was part of his team's 20-game winning streak and playoff run to the league semifinals. He played 54 games and nearly 4,000 minutes in those two seasons, getting two goals and three assists.

Players report for physical examinations and United's fourth MLS season Saturday and begin training Monday in Blaine.

The team is expected to add 24-year-old Paraguayan striker Luis Amarilla in time for training as well. He will join Mason Toye at that position. United lost 2017 first overall draft pick Abu Danladi in the November expansion draft and is expected to loan or trade Angelo Rodriguez before its March 1 regular season opener.