Minnesota United CEO says club 'is not sitting still'

Major League Soccer's primary transfer window brought Minnesota United strikers Adrien Hunou, Ramon Abila and left-side attacker Franco Fragapane before it closed on June 1.

What's yet to come with a secondary window that starts July 7 and runs until August's first week?

Loons CEO Chris Wright calls it a "massive heavy lift" that improved his club from an expansion team that played its first two seasons in TCF Bank Stadium to one that reached the Western Conference final last December.

"Will we evolve again?" Wright asked about roster changes yet to come. "I anticipate we will because this club is not sitting still. This club is going to become a bigger and bigger and bigger club. …

"We want to build this roster so we are always in the hunt for MLS Cup, always in the hunt for the Supporters' Shield, always in the hunt for the U.S. Open Cup, when it comes back. We want to play in the Leagues Cup and the Campeones Cup.

"That's the appetite of the club, so you can expect in the next window we'll look at where we believe there are opportunities to grow again."

Loons coach Adrian Heath sounds like a man who wants to get his current roster fit and together once Robin Lod, Jan Gregus and Jukka Raitala return from the UEFA European Championship before he assesses what might be next.

"We will always look to see if we can incrementally make it better," he said. "I'm really happy with this group. Fingers crossed we'll have a squad of players we thought we might have had together before the start of the season."

Heath chose a 4-2-3-1 formation Wednesday and returned star Emanuel Reynoso to a starter's role after he rehabbed his body during a three-week schedule break and then was a second-half sub in Saturday's 1-1 draw at FC Dallas.

Reynoso played in the middle with Fragapane on his left and Niko Hansen on his right, just below striker Hunou. Substitutes included Jacori Hayes, Ozzie Alonso, Ramon Abila, Ethan Finlay and Justin McMaster, among others.

Slovakia was eliminated Wednesday from the UEFA European championships after a 5-0 loss to Spain. Finland was eliminated Tuesday. That means Lod, Gregus and Raitala are returning to Minnesota and MLS after they played three group games for their national team. They could play in a July 3 home game against San Jose.

"I always want them to do well," Loons defender Michael Boxall said after Tuesday training. "We want those players helping us win games here. If they'd reach the quarters and semifinal, that's massive for their career. We'd like them back, but wish them all the best."

• Kickoff time for Saturday's game at Portland changed to 10 p.m. Central time from 9:30 p.m. because of an excessive heat forecast. A high of 102 — unusual for the Pacific Northwest — is predicted.

• Jerseys worn Wednesday by players with specialty numbers during Wednesday's Pride game will be auctioned to benefit local nonprofits and organizations. The club is donating nearly $200,000 to those affected by COVID-19 and the aftermath of George Floyd's killing.