Marc Burch

Acquired: Traded from Colorado Rapids on 3.31.2017

Burch is a 12-year MLS veteran with over 230 regular-season appearances. In 2016, the left back set career highs with Colorado Rapids in games started (27) and minutes played (2,443). He followed that up with an appearance in the MLS Team of the Week during Week 3 of the 2017 season, tallying an assist in Colorado's 2-2 draw with MNUFC. Burch was traded to the Loons on March 31 of that year.

The trade marked a turning point for Minnesota, as Burch brought sorely needed experience to the expansion team's defense. He swiftly slotted into Head Coach Adrian Heath's preferred XI and featured in 10 games for the Loons before a mid-June injury forced him to the sidelines for three months.

On June 20, Burch underwent successful bilateral sports hernia surgery, and on September 13, he made his return to the match-day roster as an unused substitute at Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Burch returned to the starting XI for the 3-2 victory at Montreal Impact three days later. In total, he started 14 of 15 games for MNUFC and played 1,232 minutes during the 2017 campaign.

Burch was drafted by LA Galaxy in 2006 and played for Columbus Crew SC, D.C. United — where he won an MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2007 and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2008 — and Seattle Sounders FC before joining the Rapids in 2014. He made the MLS Team of the Week twice during the 2016 season.

The defender spent three seasons of college soccer with the University of Evansville, during which time he also featured for the U.S. under-18 national team, playing with the U20s in the summer of 2003. He was a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference pick and a first-team NSCAA All-Midwest selection as a sophomore. Burch then played for the University of Maryland, with whom he won the College Cup in 2005, scoring the winner on a 25-yard free kick against New Mexico.

In high school, Burch was named Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior, following a career that saw him score 79 goals and notch 81 assists en route to two state titles. He also led his club team, Team Dayton, to a U17 national title in 2001. 

2018: Made first appearance on March 17 vs CHI

2017: Traded to MNUFC from COL on March 31 ... Made first start for MNUFC on April 8 at FCD (0-2 L).