Star Tribune: Transfer window, and Leagues Cup, return for MNUFC

Someday, there may come a time when any coverage of the Leagues Cup, which Minnesota United begins on Wednesday night, doesn’t need to begin with an explanation of the tournament.

Given that this year’s edition is the fourth different format in six editions, though, we may not have yet reached that point.

Minnesota United enters the summer transfer window, which opened Thursday, still in the running for four trophies this season.

The Supporters’ Shield, given to the leaguewide regular-season winner, might be the tallest order, given that Minnesota sits in eighth place. But a defensively oriented team will always have a chance come tournament time, meaning the Loons — who are in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup, start play in the Leagues Cup next week and are all but certain to make the MLS Cup playoffs at the end of the year — might be better positioned than most teams for trophy potential.

With forward Sang Bin Jeong’s trade to St. Louis City all but official last week, Minnesota United players said goodbye to their South Korean teammate before a training session Friday.

The Loons presented him with flowers, a pair of jerseys — one handed over by Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Jeong’s best buddy in Minnesota — and a whole lineup of team hugs.