Nearly a month since his team last played, Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath chatted with Loons TV voice Callum Williams in an hour's conversation posted on the team's web site. Here's some of the highlights:
The Loons' Blaine training facility is closed and players are isolating here at home while Heath and technical director Mark Watson still work the phones with agents in South America and Europe, looking to improve the roster whenever soccer (and pro sports) is played again.
"That's the one area we're trying to cover every eventuality, wherever we land," Heath said. "Do we cram a full season from June on? It is going to be a half a season? We don't really know. The one thing I do know is we have to keep this (team) moving forward. We had a really good year last year. We had a good start; the first two games were terrific for us.
"But the minute we get to the stage where we're back to normal, I'd like to add one or two players to the group."
This suspension of the MLS season through at least mid-May and likely longer has delayed any such moves, including the pursuit of Argentine attacking midfielder Emanuel Reynoso. Heath in mid-February said a deal to acquire Reynoso by transfer was "95 percent" done.
"It's no secret we were in on it for Reynoso and that's been put on the back burner a little bit because of all what has gone on," Heath said. "There's still lots of stuff going on. Mark Watson still is very very busy and active with agents in South American and Europe. We're looking at areas that will push us to the next level."
He said he has been in contact with his by phone and some players have gathered with each other and staff on video conferencing for weekly coffee breaks with each other.
Heath said this delay has been particularly difficult for young South Americans Luis Amarilla and Thomas Chacon. MLS has advised players to stay in their markets, but recently changed its policy to allow players to relocate by car on a case-by-case basis approved by the league.