Adrian Heath has been with Minnesota United since the beginning of its MLS existence and the veteran head coach isn’t planning on leaving anytime soon.
Heath signed a new contract with the Western Conference club on Thursday, which keeps him in St. Paul through the 2024 league season, the club announced. Additionally, the club signed new contracts with assistant coaches Ian Fuller and Sean McAuley, and goalkeeper coach Stewart Kerr.
Heath joined the Loons in November 2016 as the club’s first MLS coach ahead of Minnesota United’s inaugural season in 2017. The Englishman has posted a 73-79-39 record in league play and a 47-21-19 home record. Heath has led the Loons to three-consecutive Western Conference playoff appearances.
He will also act as head coach this summer when the MLS All-Star Game comes to Allianz Field.
“Adrian has been absolutely instrumental in driving the competitive success Minnesota United achieved in its first five MLS seasons, being one of only three Western Conference teams to make the MLS Cup Playoffs in each of the last three years, including reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2020,” said MNUFC Chief Executive Officer Shari Ballard.
The Loons are 11th in the Western Conference so far this season, two points out of the final playoff spot.
Here is a closer look at all of the recent MLS News:
Sporting KC adds Agada, Thommy in separate deals
Sporting Kansas City made a pair of roster acquisitions on Thursday, adding help in their forward and midfield corps.
22-year-old striker William Agada was added in a transfer from Israeli side Hapoel Jerusalem while 27-year-old midfielder Erik Thommy was signed as a free agent, the club announced. Both players will be added to SKC’s roster on July 7 when the Secondary Transfer Window officially opens.
Aged, a Nigerian native, scored 37 goals across four seasons in Israel, with three of this seasons coming with Hapoel Jerusalem. Agada accounted for 42% of Hapoel Jerusalem’s league goals last season before making the move to MLS.
Thommy has recorded 42 goals and 33 assists across nine seasons in his native Germany, including nine goals, 14 assists and 96 appearances in the Bundesliga. Thommy spent the last four-and-a-half years under contract with VfB Stuttgart, while also spending one season on loan with Fortuna Dusseldorf.
SKC advanced to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Wednesday after cruising past Union Omaha 6-0.
Toronto FC, Whitecaps advance to Canadian Championship Final
Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps will play for the 2022 Canadian Championship trophy this July after advancing in semifinal ties on Wednesday.
Bob Bradley’s TFC rolled past CF Montreal 4-0 with Ayo Akinola, Jesus Jimenez, and Alejandro Pozuelo all getting on the scoresheet. Akinola opened the scoring in the 40th minute before capping his brace in the 54th to double TFC’s lead at BMO Field.
Jimenez and Pozuelo scored three minutes apart in the final stages of the match to further pad TFC’s victory.
The Vancouver Whitecaps used a second-half brace from Brian White to defeat York United 2-1 at BC Place. White scored 21 minutes apart to give Vanni Santini’s side a two-goal advantage after halftime, but Isaiah Johnston’s consolation goal gave York United a slight glimmer of hope.
Cody Cropper finished with two saves as the Whitecaps clinched a spot in the final. The final date will be announced at a later time, but is expected to take place in July in Vancouver.
RSL’s Herrera signs contract extension
Aaron Herrera’s has earned himself a new contract with Real Salt Lake.
Herrera signed a multi-year contract with RSL on Thursday, which runs through the 2024 MLS season. His contract now includes options for 2025 and 2026, keeping him locked down for the next two MLS campaigns.
“I was just a 15-year-old from Las Cruces with a dream when I joined the RSL Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona back in 2012,” said Herrera. “The last five seasons here in Salt Lake have brought me so much, have helped me grow on and off the field, so I simply couldn’t be more excited to extend my career at Real Salt Lake.”
The 25-year-old recently earned his 100th career MLS regular season appearance against NYCFC at Yankee Stadium. A former standout at the University of New Mexico, Herrera has logged 107 appearances in total for RSL, scoring one goal and adding 16 assists.
A former U.S. Youth national team player, Herrera has earned one cap with the USMNT to date.
Dynamo loans Ian Hoffmann to Orange County SC
Ian Hoffmann will spend the remainder of the 2022 season on loan in the USL.
Hoffmann was loaned to Orange County SC in the USL Championship for the remainder of the season, his parent club Houston Dynamo announced Thursday. The 20-year-old made his first team debut in August 2021 and since has featured for Houston Dynamo 2 in MLS NEXT Pro.
Hoffmann totaled nine appearances for Dynamo Dos this season, but now makes the move to defending USL winners Orange County SC.
Orange County SC sits in 12th place in the Western Conference.