Minnesota United goalkeeper Tyler Miller returned Wednesday for the first time to Banc of California Stadium, where he was Los Angeles FC's starter for much of its first two historic seasons.
With money spent generously, LAFC set MLS records for points in a season, goal differential and tied for goals scored in 2019, its second season in which it also won the Supporters' Shield.
It did so after selecting Miller first overall in the 2018 expansion draft, from Seattle. The Loons traded for him before the 2020 season after they couldn't re-sign MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Vito Mannone.
"It was a very exciting time, the first opportunity I had to be a starter in this league," Miller said. "Being an expansion club, there were growing pains. But to cap it off with winning the Supporters' Shield and setting the points record, it was a very amazing experience. It was a learning experience.
"I definitely matured. I had to pinch myself where I was living because, growing up in Woodbury, New Jersey, I never expected to live in Los Angeles."
Miller has lost but one game in his two seasons in Minnesota. The Loons went 3-0-2 with him as starter in 2020 before hip surgeries ended his season early. They are 6-1-3 since he became starter after his team started this season 0-4 with Dayne St. Clair as the starter. That's 9-1-5 as starter for Miller in those two seasons.
"What's the stats? He's lost one game for us?" Loons coach Adrian Heath asked. "He has been terrific. Let's hope it continues. … We were delighted to get him, for sure. He's going back to his club where he did really, really well for them. I'm sure it's a big game for him, a special game."
Miller watched from afar while rehabilitating his hips when the Loons went to L.A. and won 2-0 last September.
