The inside joke – and secret fear – among Minnesota United FC fans has been that maybe the Loons' have created a drastic new style of play for their first Major League Soccer season where the team will just send out 11 field players and leave the goal completely empty.That's because it took until the Jan. 13 SuperDraft for United to sign its first goalkeeper, and that fresh-out-of-college pick was and still is injured.Those worries, though, can finally be assuaged as Swedish goalkeeper John Alvbage joined United officially Sunday and will most likely assume the No. 1 spot in goal this season.But the veteran, who has made more than 400 appearances in his club career as well as a few with the Swedish men's national team, had no idea the club's supporters have been so eagerly anticipating his move to Minnesota."If it's true, it sounds amazing, and I'm happy to hear that," Alvbage said. "I'm so pumped to meet them, to play good in front of them and make success with the team. … and I heard that they have really good fans in Minnesota. I think it's a really important position, you know. So I'm going to try to do my best to take the shirt, of course, first of all, and then play my game."The 34-year-old's former Swedish club IFK Goteborg revealed the loan through July 15 with an 18-month extension option after that earlier this week. The Swede, at 6-1, 194-pounds, had been the established starter at his hometown club, Goteborg, since 2012. He began his trek from Gothenburg, Sweden, to Phoenix, staying a night in London after his connection was delayed five hours on the tarmac before being cancelled. He arrived Thursday night at United's preseason camp in Casa Grande, Ariz., and had his first training with the team Saturday morning.Alvbage will join Alec Ferrell, the draftee, and Patrick McLain, whom United acquired recently in a trade with Orlando City SC along with midfielder Kevin Molino, as the goalkeepers on United's current roster. Alvbage and McLain practiced alongside trialists Charlie Lyon, Marco Carducci and Sammy Ndjock on Saturday. Goalkeeping coach Marius Rovde called Ferrell more of a "long-term project." McLain has only ever played consistently at the lower United Soccer League level.Rovde said he had known about Alvbage for a while and could tell from the Swede's playing history – he has played for four main clubs and become the No. 1 at each, staying for several seasons at each stop – that this keeper was a keeper."He's an experienced goalkeeper … in a young body. Still moves freely, quickly. He's very agile," Rovde said. "He is a great guy, great leader."Leadership is important for a goalkeeper, who often directs his teammates in a game since he can see the whole pitch. Rovde also said Alvbage has played on turf in Sweden, which is an important aspect of the game to be comfortable with, as United will play on turf at TCF Bank Stadium this season.Alvbage will be one of several Scandinavian-area players for United this season and the second Swede to join the team. He and midfielder Mo Saeid, who came to United through the Expansion Draft, had played for the same club in Sweden, Orebro SK, albeit in different seasons, and have met and played against each other several times. Alvbage contacted Saeid when he heard about United's interest and was happy to hear about the success Saeid had experienced in MLS."He's a good goalkeeper," Saeid said. "I've known him from my time in Sweden. He's a very good player, and I'm happy to have him here."Even though Alvbage has only ever been to Florida and California in the U.S., he said the rare opportunity to help build a new top-division team and watch it grow throughout the season was hard to pass. As was the chance to be a part of history as one of the about dozen Swedish players to play in MLS."The last time a Swedish goalkeeper was in MLS was in 1998 when Thomas Ravelli, the big hero from the World Cup '94 in America, that's the last time a Swedish goalkeeper was in the league," Alvbage said. "This doesn't happen often. So this is a big opportunity for me."And as far as how to pronounce his last name – Ahlv-bo-geh – Alvbage said not to worry."When you say 'Ahlv-bosh' or whatever, that's cool," he said. "When I was in France, they said 'Ah-Louvre-bosh' so that was cool, too."No problem."