Minnesota United continues to build its roster for the 2016 North American Soccer League season and beyond as standout defenders Justin Davis and Kevin Venegas have signed long-term contracts with the club. Both players have had exceptional careers with Minnesota, most recently being named to the 2015 NASL Best XI. As per team and league policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Massive for the club, they were arguably the best two outside defenders in the league,” said Minnesota United Head Coach Carl Craig. “Not just tight and wide defenders, but they bring so much to our offense. Both are maturing as players, both have improved year after year since they've been here and I still think, in all honesty, that the best is yet to come. In terms of stability for us as a club, they're very important, but also in terms of the quality they bring to the field and the team, both in attitude and performance it's absolutely massive. So I don't think there is a team in the country that wouldn't want the two of them. We're privileged to have them."
The dynamic wingback pairing of Davis and Venegas proved to be deadly on both sides of the field in 2015. The duo is constantly active on both ends of the pitch with a pressuring defensive style as well as aggressively pushing up the wings on offense to provide for dangerous counterattacks and support. These efforts earned Davis and Venegas six and five Team of the Week honors respectively.
"Obviously both of them are tremendous athletes. You couldn't ask for more in terms of output and energy that they bring to the team,” said Craig. “Both can fly up and down the wing, both need improvement in the attacking third. They're just so valuable to us in terms of the speed and the attacking prowess they possess from deep positions. We showed last year when Viva [Venegas] got injured that we weren't quite as good. They just bring energy to the team, they're invaluable in the attack, and then of course because when they fly back they can prevent stuff as well. They’re very important to our success."
Davis appeared in all but one league match for the Loons in 2015, leading the team in minutes and the league in goals for a defender with five. The Arizona native has been with the team since 2011, and is the current all-time minutes leader for the Loons, with 12,293 minutes played across all competitions.
"This club has given me the opportunity to grow my career and I could not be more proud of what we have accomplished here,” said Davis. “Minnesota was the first team to take a chance on me as a rookie and I look forward to taking this next step with the club. We have built something truly special in this state, we have the most intelligent and passionate fans and I look forward to continuing to build this year in the NASL and Major League Soccer after that."
On the opposite end of United’s backline, Venegas had an equally impressive season. He tied a club record of six assists in a season while also scoring two key goals in 29 appearances. Originally from California, Venegas joined the team as a midfielder in 2012 before making the transition to defense.
“It's gratifying and confidence-boosting as a player to be invested in, being a part of this club already for four seasons has been an unpredictable journey that shall continue,” said Venegas. “Going from a league-owned club to transitioning to Major League Soccer has been a wild ride. Since I was drafted by Chivas USA in 2012 I haven't been given another opportunity to play in the MLS. Being signed to a long-term contract here in Minnesota gives me that opportunity which I feel I have worked hard for since the minute I was released. I’m looking forward to bringing my style of defending to MLS and hopefully one day if I get the opportunity to the USMNT. But before all this goes down we have a trophy to win in the NASL this year!”
The pair have been wreaking havoc on opponents with fast-paced attacking play and disciplined defensive work. The box-to-box coverage by Davis and Venegas has proved to be a crucial part of United’s game plan, and will continue to be in the 2016 season.
"To me, to be able to keep the caliber of those two players in the club speaks volumes in terms of what we're able to do off the field, but also the fact that they're happy to stay with us means that they're getting the football that they want and that the front office is taking care of their side of the business," said Craig.
