Transfer Tracker

Minnesota sign two rookie defenders, part ways with Vadim Demidov

Carter Manley - Minnesota United - SuperDraft

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Roster Update


Minnesota United FC made a few moves on Wednesday afternoon to shore up their roster, signing two SuperDraft picks and parting ways with a center back who fell out of favor.


The Loons signed center back Wyatt Omsberg and right back Carter Manley after selecting No. 15 and No. 23 overall in the 2018 SuperDraft, respectively. Omsberg figures to battle with Brent Kallman and Michael Boxall for playing time while Manley will provide depth behind Tyrone Mears.


We were excited when we got them and we think they have a big and bright future,ā€ said MNUFC head coach Adrian Heath in a statement. ā€œTheyā€™ve been working hard in preseason and gaining the confidence of the group. We are really impressed with their attitudes, they have come in and have approached this opportunity as professionals.


Omsberg was a two-time Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year at Dartmouth and three-time first-team All-Ivy honoree. As a co-captain during his senior season, the towering defender helped secure a defense that allowed just 12 goals en route to a No. 15 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Manley was a three-year starter at Duke, which included 58 matches ā€“ā€“ 52 starts ā€“ā€“ a goal and 12 assists from his role as an attack-minded outside back.


Wednesday also saw a close to the Vadim Demidov saga, with the center back and club agreeing to part ways after the Loons exercised their one offseason buyout of a guaranteed contract. Learn more about the rule here.


Demidov started three matches for the Loons in 2017 after being named captain before the season. The team conceded 16 goals in those three matches and the 31-year-old never saw the field again under Heath.


MLS Fantasy Impact: You can add Omsberg ($4.5) and Manley ($4.0) to your team right now. Start playing!