Loons discuss newcomers, Gaspers USMNT debut, building on 2019’s breakthrough

Before heading to Portland for their annual MLS preseason exhibition tournament, Minnesota United players and coach Adrian Heath chatted about some of the new additions to the team – notably striker Luis Amarilla, defender Chase Gasper’s recent stint with the U.S. Men’s National Team and the outlook as the Loons try to build on last season’s breakthrough season.

Click the video box on this page to see interviews with Chase Gasper, Ethan Finlay, Aaron Schoenfeld and United manager Adrian Heath

In addition to chatting with Gasper, Heath, and Ethan Finlay, we had our first chance to meet newly-signed striker Aaron Schoenfeld.

Schoenfeld (nickname: "Big Celery", apparently) signed with United after they returned from their preseason camp in Miami but before they departed for Portland. He spent the last four years playing professionally in Israel.

He was Montreal’s first round pick (20th overall) in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft and later made his MLS debut with Columbus, where he teamed with Finlay for a while.

Gasper spent part of the offseason training with the United States Men’s National Team. First called up to train with the team late last year, Gasper trained in the USMNT camp in Florida and California before finally making his debut in a friendly against Costa Rica in Los Angeles.

The other primary topic of discussion was another recently-added striker, Paraguayan national Luis Amarilla.

Upon joining the Loons, Amarilla announced his presence with authority claiming he’ll score 25 goals in the upcoming MLS season.

Boisterous as it migth have seemed, Amarilla went on to score both United goals in their preseason opening 2-2 draw with New England.

United opens theit fourth MLS season against Portland on March 1.