Press Kit

Company Overview

Minnesota United is an accessible, resilient and unifying force bringing the fastest growing sport in the country to fans in Minnesota and across the Twin Cities with innovative style. Building a new home in the heart of two industrious cities, the North is rising — not replicating, but ushering in a new era of soccer in America.

Major League Soccer

Minnesota United was awarded an expansion spot in Major League Soccer on March 25, 2015 and shortly thereafter announced its intention to build a state-of-the-art soccer stadium in St. Paul. In February, 2019, construction of Allianz Field was completed.

Name

Minnesota United, MNUFC, the Loons, Minnesota United FC

Mascot – PK

Minnesota United's PK was officially named the MNUFC mascot in the summer of 2014. PK is a curious Loon who often gets into mischief by wandering in search of new adventures. Known to have an excellent shot, PK is a less-than-adequate goalkeeper who helps the Dark Clouds and True North Elite cheer on the team at every home match. PK is often seen throughout the community donating time at charities, hospitals and soccer events.

Twitter: @PK_MNUFC

People often ask what PK stands for, but MNUFC has never gotten a straightforward answer from PK himself. For now, it is understood that PK just means PK!

Biographies

Dr. Bill McGuire

Dr. McGuire completed medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston after finishing his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas. As Chairman and CEO of United Health Group, he grew the health care company from $400 million to more than $70 billion in annual revenue.

Before Dr. McGuire purchased Minnesota United, at the time known as Minnesota Stars FC, professional soccer in Minnesota was in jeopardy. After the NASL took over ownership of the team in 2011, it won the league’s first championship, but was still on the verge of folding. Then, former-league commissioner David Downs reached out to Dr. McGuire to save the team.

Interested in seeing the squad for himself, Dr. McGuire attended several matches, culminating in the home leg of the 2012 Soccer Bowl. Inspired by the atmosphere and excitement of the fans, he purchased the team following the 2012 season.

Dr. McGuire began grooming the franchise for success, using inspiration from a visit to Bayern Munich, one of Germany’s top clubs, to guide his course of action. The following March, the team was rebranded as Minnesota United FC. Dr. McGuire went to work building it not only to survive, but to thrive on and off the field, expanding the front office and building partnerships with local businesses.

As the club’s accomplishments began to pile up, Dr. McGuire started working toward building an MLS franchise. He brought together a largely local ownership group, comprised of Twins owner Jim Pohlad, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor and Carlson board member Wendy Carlson Nelson, in addition to other prominent Minnesota families. The group began to work with MLS to bring MNUFC to the highest level of the game in the U.S. and secure the future of soccer in Minnesota.

On March 25, 2015, MLS awarded Minnesota United the league’s 23rd franchise. For Dr. McGuire, it was an emotional moment, having seen his team go from the brink of folding to the top league in the U.S. and Canada in just two years. The team’s inaugural season featured historic moments, sellouts at TCF Bank Stadium and a burgeoning match day atmosphere that ranks among the best in the league.

Dr. McGuire and the ownership group have continued to raise the profile of the club and its community by building a privately-funded, soccer-specific stadium. Allianz Field will revitalize the area, bringing in new corporate, retail and residential spaces. The stadium will be completed for the 2019 season in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul.

Showing his commitment to the community, Dr. McGuire‘s philanthropic efforts include donations to the Guthrie Theater, Walker Art Center and Gold Medal Park.

Chris Wright

Minnesota United hired Wright as the franchise's first Chief Executive Officer in September 2017. As CEO, he oversees both the business and sporting sides of the organization. Wright comes to the club following 13 seasons as president of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx and 26 years with the organization.

With the Wolves and Lynx, Wright oversaw both teams’ business operations and over 140 employees. An engaged member of the Twin Cities’ corporate community, Wright was integral to forming the organizations’ most closely integrated partnerships, including those with Target, Mayo Clinic, US Bank, Federated Insurance and Jack Link’s. Additionally, he has been heavily involved in the current renovation of Target Center, a $140 million project that began in the spring of 2016 and will be completed later in the 2017–18 season. Wright also led the 2014 sales efforts and development of Mayo Clinic Square, a state-of-the-art practice and performance facility that is widely recognized as an innovative and highly successful model for sports franchises.

For much of his tenure, Wright led the business planning and strategic direction for all business units associated with the Timberwolves and Lynx. He is recognized for establishing the Minnesota Lynx in the Twin Cities market, including helping the team realize unprecedented growth in ticket sales and corporate partnerships. These efforts have defined the Lynx as the recognized model for women’s professional sports, an undisputed leader in the WNBA both on and off the court, and an important asset to our community. A true believer that a healthy collaborative culture is a winning culture, Wright helped author the purpose statement Be A Pack: Believe, Inspire, Unite.

In his native England, Wright played and coached in various professional and semi-professional soccer leagues. When he first arrived in the United States, he served as general manager for Major Indoor Soccer League teams the Pittsburgh Spirit (1981–86) and the Minnesota Strikers (1986–87). Following that, he acted as a consultant working on bids for major national and international events, including the programming of the widely recognized National Sports Center in Blaine — which is today home of the Minnesota United Training Ground — before becoming its first director.

Wright graduated from Carnegie College of Physical Education in Headingly, Leeds, Yorkshire, England. He is very involved in and consults with many local charities and youth sports programs. He was elected to the advisory board of the Minnesota State University Sports Management Program and is an inductee into their Sports Marketing Hall of Fame.

Manny Lagos

Lagos was appointed as the first Sporting Director in club history in January 2016. Prior to holding this position, he worked as Head Coach of Minnesota United, taking the helm in 2010 and accruing a 78-52-59 record over six seasons, including winning the 2011 NASL championship.

The youngest of eight children, Manny began his professional career as a member of the Minnesota Thunder, where he played for seven years alongside his brother Gerard and under his father Buzz, who coached and founded the team. Manny scored 29 goals with the Thunder and, in 1994, was named USL MVP, netting 18 goals and providing nine assists. Both Manny and Gerard were inducted into the USL Hall of Fame prior to the former leaving to play in MLS.

Lagos also received attention at the national team level as a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic team. He scored the winning goal in a 3-1 victory over Kuwait, the U.S. team’s only win of the tournament. He also made three appearances with the national team under the leadership of Bruce Arena.

During the inaugural MLS season in 1996, Lagos joined the NY/NJ MetroStars. He went on to play for five MLS clubs during his career: the MetroStars, Chicago Fire, Tampa Bay Mutiny, San Jose Earthquakes and Columbus Crew SC.

Lagos retired from professional soccer in June 2005. He entered the administrative side of the sport in January 2006, when he assumed the role of Director of Soccer Operations for the Thunder, where he emphasized youth development. An occasional broadcaster, he served as color commentator for Sirius XM Radio during the 2006 World Cup.

Lagos is a two-time winner of the NASL’s Coach of the Year award, given to the best coach in the league as voted on by the media. His first came in 2011, when he led Minnesota to the Soccer Bowl title after barely making the playoffs. He earned the award again in 2014, as MNUFC won both the spring and combined season championship.

In his final season, Lagos put together the most successful offensive team in the modern era of the NASL, scoring a record 55 goals. He led the squad to the postseason for the fifth time in six seasons, qualifying by virtue of having the best remaining record, not including the spring and fall champions.

Adrian Heath

In November 2016, Minnesota United announced that Heath would be the club’s Head Coach for its inaugural MLS season. Prior to joining MNUFC, Heath served as Head Coach of Orlando City SC. He has over 20 years of managerial experience in the United States and England.

Hailing from Staffordshire, England, Heath enjoyed an 18-year professional soccer career before entering into coaching. The midfielder’s journey began with Stoke City and included a notable career at Everton, where he scored 71 goals in 226 appearances, winning two league titles, an FA Cup and a UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup in 1985. In 1989, Heath went on to play for Espanyol in Spain, then returned to England to play for Manchester City and Burnley, where he eventually transitioned into the role of player-manager in 1996.

The Englishman spent the next 11 years coaching in England for clubs such as Burnley, Sheffield United and Coventry City before a chance encounter with Phil Rawlins brought him to the United States in 2008.

Rawlins, the former Stoke City director, met with Heath in his hometown of Newcastle-under-Lyme, where the two discussed Rawlins’ dream of setting up a football club in the U.S., and — serendipitously for Heath — Rawlins needed a manager.

Heath accepted the role and was named the Head Coach of the Austin Aztex, Rawlins’ USL expansion franchise. The team spent two years in Austin before relocating to Orlando in 2010, becoming Orlando City.

In just four years under Heath in its new city, Orlando City won two USL Pro championships and three Commissioner’s Cups. The USL club under Heath also tallied two U.S. Open Cup victories over MLS opposition.

Orlando City launched into Major League Soccer in 2015 and Heath’s influence helped build the club for a very successful inaugural MLS season. The club finished seventh in the Eastern Conference, falling just short of clinching a berth in the 2015 MLS playoffs.

Jamie Watson

Watson joined the Minnesota United broadcast team ahead of the 2017 MLS season. He is a former professional soccer player with a 12-year career in MLS, NASL and USL.

Watson played four seasons with Minnesota, beginning with a year in 2012 and returning from 2014 to 2016. He is involved with many Twin Cities charities, INCLUDING Make-A-Wish, Special Olympics, Easter Seals and more. Watson has also been involved in broadcasting throughout his career, including covering high school soccer for Bright House Sports Network in Florida, featuring in many Minnesota United videos, appearing as a weekly guest on KFAN's PowerTrip Morning Show and hosting the Adrian Heath Show on 1500 ESPN.

Callum Williams

Williams joined the Minnesota United broadcast team ahead of the 2017 MLS season. He is a seasoned soccer commentator who has covered leagues ranging from Major League Soccer and the Premier League to the German Bundesliga and other European competitions. He has worked in England covering MLS, EPL and a wide range of leagues for a number of worldwide for broadcasters such as Sky Sports, talkSPORT and the BBC.

During the past two years, Williams has called the MLS Cup, World Cup qualifiers, CONCACAF Champions League, the Gold Cup and the FA Cup for a global audience. Williams is recognized as a global voice of MLS who has earned wide acclaim due to his experience in both the United States and Europe.

Kyndra de St. Aubin

De St. Aubin is currently the only female color commentator in MLS, serving as an analyst for Minnesota United alongside play-by-play commentator Callum Williams and sideline reporter Jamie Watson. The former University of Minnesota soccer star has been a part of the sports broadcasting landscape in both radio and television since graduating college in 2003.

She began her career with ESPN 1500AM in Milwaukee covering all sports in the Milwaukee/Madison area as the beat reporter for the Bucks (NBA), Brewers (MLB), Packers (NFL) and all UW Badger and Marquette University sports. In 2007, de St. Aubin moved to Arizona and joined Arizona Sports 98.7FM. She was the beat reporter for the Diamondbacks (MLB), Suns (NBA), Cardinals (NFL), Coyotes (NHL) and ASU sports. In addition to her reporting duties, she was a fill-in co-host and SportsCenter anchor during the PM drive.

De St. Aubin was an integral part of Fox Sports' coverage of the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada. She was a part of one of five broadcast teams selected for the tournament's television coverage on the network. De St. Aubin and her broadcast partner Jenn Hildreth did 12 games in total, including the semifinal of Japan vs. England in Edmonton. She has also been a part of FS1's coverage of the International Champions Cup from 2013–2015 and served as a sideline reporter for MLS prior to joining Minnesota United.

She currently resides in White Bear Lake, MN with her husband Bobby and daughter Adelynne.

John Guagliano

Guagliano is the Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Minnesota United. Prior to arriving in Minnesota, he worked for nine years as the Vice President of Marketing and Broadcasting for Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals, where he won numerous awards for his work in branding and marketing. He has also worked in broadcasting and game ops for the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets and NHL’s Nashville Predators.

Maureen Smith

Smith is the Senior Vice President of Finance for Minnesota United. She began her career as a CPA in public accounting and small-business consulting. Prior to joining MNUFC, Smith served as Director of Operations at United Health Group in the Office of Social Responsibility and the United Health Foundation supporting and reporting on enterprise-wide charitable activity. Additionally, since 2005, she has served as Executive Director for WESAC Sports, Inc., a non-profit sports council partnering with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to provide low-cost recreational opportunities for youth athletes.

In September 2016, Smith joined MNUFC to help launch Major League Soccer in Minnesota. As a part of the leadership team, she has worked on the project to build a privately-funded stadium, Allianz Field, in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul and establish the foundation of a new sports franchise.

Bryant Pfeiffer

As Senior Vice President of Sales & Strategy for Minnesota United, Pfeiffer is responsible for integrating revenue generating areas (ticketing, sponsorship, broadcast, membership, partnerships, premium, camps/clinics and academies). He is a part of the senior leadership team guiding MNUFC through Major League Soccer and supporting design of its future home, Allianz Field, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Prior to joining MNUFC in 2017, Pfeiffer spent 10 years with the Club Services function of Major League Soccer as Vice President. He was the first hire brought in to help build the department at MLS in 2007 and was responsible for advising clubs on all aspects of business operations, with a focus on ticket sales, marketing, sponsorship, match-day presentation and customer retention. The department has been a driving force for collecting and sharing data and best practices, as well as facilitating the planning and execution of league wide meetings, workshops, webinars and conference calls on a wide range of topics annually.

Pfeiffer created the MLS National Sales Center in July 2010 to further assist clubs with developing sales talent and supporting ticket sales efforts. Since its inception, over 230 trainees have been hired by MLS clubs and the program has received national and international recognition for sales and marketing innovation.

Prior to joining MLS, Pfeiffer spent in 14 years with in various sales leadership positions with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx. He earned his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota.

Sara Daggett

Before joining Minnesota United, Daggett was a partner at a boutique litigation firm in Minneapolis, where she focused her law practice on complex business and commercial litigation. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and worked for several years as a recruiter in the staffing industry before attending law school.

Daggett earned her law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul and has since been recognized multiple times as a “Rising Star” in the legal profession by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine. She volunteers her time as an attorney representing children in foster care for the Children’s Law Center of Minnesota and as President of the Board of Ragamala Dance, an internationally-recognized dance company based in Minneapolis.