Minnesota United may have come out as the winners in much-needed trade with Colorado Rapids
Minnesota United reinforcements are finally starting to arrive.
The Loons, who have been one of the worst teams MLS has ever seen so far this season, have acquired MLS veterans Sam Cronin and Marc Burch from the Colorado Rapids, the teamsannounced Friday. In exchange, the Loons sent Mohammed Saeid, Josh Gatt and an international roster slot to Colorado.
Is it the first "win" for the Loons so far this MLS season? Time will tell, of course, but it very well just might be. The Loons, which have conceded a whopping 18 goals in their first four MLS games, are in desperate need of help – and both Cronin and Burch are solid pickups while the Rapids aren't getting much help.
For the ultra-defensive Colorado Rapids who contended for a Supporters Shield last year, Cronin was a key midfield piece at helping their defense stay in line. As a starter in 33 of 34 regular season games, he shielded the back line and was able to quickly get them out of trouble by leading the transition up the field. His passing is usually simple-but-effective, which is what the Loons need at this point.
Most of all, the additions of defender Burch and midfielder Cronin add a veteran MLS presence that the Loons have simply lacked. Too many of Minnesota players haven't had experience in MLS, but the 30-year-old Cronin has been in the league since 2009 while 32-year-old Burch has been in MLS since 2006. Burch has often been a depth piece throughout his career, but he was a regular starter for a very strong Rapids team last year and figures to slide into a starting fullback role for Minnesota, especially given how weak the Loons back line has been.
It remains to be seen if the roster shuffle will help the Loons turn things around, but on paper it looks like a positive step for a Minnesota team that has been struggling badly. Minnesota United have been setting astonishingly bad records in MLS so far this season, and if they continue at this rate, they will finish with the most goals ever conceded, and it won't be even remotely close.
The trade looks less beneficial to the Rapids, at least from an immediate on-field standpoint. Gatt, whose career has been derailed by frequent injuries, still hasn't made his debut for Minnesota this season and it's unclear when he'll be fit to play for Colorado. Saeid is decent enough, but not necessarily an upgrade anywhere. But by trading away Cronin and Burch, the Rapids appear to be getting some money for older players while they still have value to trade.
The Loons' newest players won't be available until next week, so Minnesota must go another weekend with the roster they have, which isn't ideal, given their past four weeks of MLS. But the Loons needed to change something and they've done that. It's doubtful this set of trades will be enough to fix all their defensive woes, but it's a much-needed start. For now, call it a win.
