NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United Exercises Options on Eleven Key Players for 2014

Published on December 3, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Tuesday, December 3, 2013) -- United captain Aaron Pitchkolan, striker Simone Bracalello, defender Brian Kallman and goalkeeper Matt VanOekel are among a group of eleven key players from the 2013 season who are again preparing to wear the familiar kit of Minnesota United FC in 2014.

"We are really excited about this core group of guys we have have decided to keep for the 2014 season," said United Head Coach Manny Lagos. "We can now focus on building a successful team from this core moving forward. We have some strong pieces in place now and we will continue to build our roster for the 2014 season."

The list is highlighted by several key players, including Italian forward Simone Bracalello, who led the club with 35 shots in 2013. Bracalello scored seven goals and tallied six assists playing 1,520 minutes. Bracalello was named to the NASL Team of the Week twice and NASL Player of the Month once in 2013. 2014 will mark Bracalello's 4th season with United.

United defender and Woodbury, Minnesota native Brian Kallman will return for his 8th season with the club. Kallman made 18 appearances for Minnesota United FC in 2013 playing 1,472 minutes. Kallman was named to the NASL Team of the Week and NASL Player of the Week once in 2013.

United captain Aaron Pitchkolan will return in 2014 for his second season with the club. Pitchkolan scored two goals and contributed one assist in 2013, playing 1,665 minutes with 20 appearances for Minnesota. He was named to the NASL Best XI in 2013 for playing a key role on the defense and was selected to the NASL Team of the Week three times in 2013.

Matt VanOekel will return to protect the net in 2014. VanOekel totalled 18 saves and two shutouts in 2013, playing 1,620 minutes in 18 games. VanOekel was named to the NASL Team of the Week twice and NASL Player of the Week once in 2013.

Below is the full list of players whose options have been picked up by the club for the 2014 NASL Season:

Simone Bracalello (Forward)

Justin Davis (Defender)

Cristiano Dias (Defender)

Floyd Franks (Midfielder)

Miguel Ibarra (Midfielder)

Brent Kallman (Defender)

Brian Kallman (Defender)

Aaron Pitchkolan (Defender)

Nate Polak (Forward)

Kentaro Takada (Midfielder)

Matt VanOekel (Goalkeeper)

The club's current roster consists of:

Goalkeeper: Matt VanOekel

Defenders: Justin Davis, Cristiano Dias, Brent Kallman, Brian Kallman, Aaron Pitchkolan and Kevin Venegas

Midfielders: Floyd Franks, Miguel Ibarra, Michael Reed and Kentaro Takada

Forwards: Simone Bracalello, Pablo Campos and Nate Polak

Minnesota United FC Assistant Coach, Kevin Friedland, who retired from playing this season, will be leaving the club in 2014 to pursue other career opportunities.

Minnesota United FC did not pick up the player options for the following players for the 2014 season: Mike Ambersley, Edi Buro, Sean de Silva, Max Griffin, Luis Piffer, Lucas Rodriguez, Daryl Sattler and Travis Wall.

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics

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North American Soccer League Stories from December 3, 2013


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