Despite playoff chances being incredibly slim with five matches left in Minnesota United's inaugural MLS season, coach Adrian Heath said Thursday that his players have "everything to play for" this season.

"We've already started planing for next year, so anybody who thinks they haven't got anything to play for may be mistaken," Heath said after training at the National Sports Center. "We're already down the road of working out what we need for next year to make us better, and what I see between now and the end of the season and what I've seen this season will determine the fate of a lot of people."

The Loons will need all players in top form. A 7:30 p.m. match Saturday at the Houston Dynamo leads into a 6 p.m. Tuesday match at Atlanta United FC, which leads into the team's final home match at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 against Sporting Kansas City.

MEGAN RYAN