It's been said once or twice that Major League Soccer needs big personalities. For that alone, the return of Adrian Heath to the league's coaching ranks with 2017 expansion team Minnesota United is certainly welcome.
Colorado's Pablo Mastroeni may be the master of existential philosophy among MLS managers, but Heath's warm, charismatic turns in front of a microphone will certainly keep dispatches from the Twin Cities good reads.
But Heath doesn't just bring a good quote to his new position. He's also got valuable experience shepherding an MLS expansion team through the transition from lower division to top flight, in his previous post at Orlando City.
Heath, an English import with playing experience at Stoke City, Everton, Manchester City and Burnley, among others, built an impressive resume at Orlando City prior to their entry into MLS, including two USL league titles. Getting the nod to move up to the first division, the appointment was somewhat unusual, with fewer and fewer head coaches being hired by MLS teams with no prior playing or coaching experience in the league.
But Heath put together the third-best season by an expansion team in MLS history in 2015. With a 12-14-8 mark (44 points), Orlando City rank only behind the 1998 Chicago Fire and 2009 Seattle Sounders in terms of best MLS debut season performances. Of course, the big distinction between the Lions and the other two sides was the fact that the earlier teams reached the postseason (the Fire, of course, won MLS Cup, a feat that will likely never be repeated), and Orlando City joined the rest of the expansion teams in MLS history that did not. Still, missing out on a playoff berth by one place in the standings isn't too bad, given the track record of new teams.
So how will Heath's Minnesota United play? Judging by the example set in Orlando, expect to see attacking soccer first and foremost. Unlike many coaches, Heath has backed up the promises of attacking soccer with actual attacking. If Minnesota get high-caliber scoring options – I'm sure he'd like a combo in the mold of Kaká and Cyle Larin at Orlando – the goals could come rolling in.
And for neutrals, Orlando City's games under Heath were always entertaining to watch. With the open style of soccer being played and the defense apt to concede (the Lions allowed the fourth-most goals in the league in 2015), an Orlando City game was never over until the referee blew the final whistle.
One expects Heath, having been dismissed in Florida midseason in 2016, will look to refine the defensive approach at his next stop. But it seems rather unlikely Minnesota United will bunker and pray their way through the 2017 season, and that will be good for everyone looking for fun soccer.
And in that way, the entertainment Heath often provides when giving interviews connects to the likely style of play for his new team. It's an exciting time for Minnesota United, and there will be a lot of news coming out as the club builds their first MLS roster. Heath can help put on a show, and now it's time to see if he can raise the bar in the standings above his 2015 season in Orlando.
