![Darwin Quintero held up his new jersey after the news conference where he was introduced Monday afternoon. At right is team public relations manager Jessica Lopez. ] JEFF WHEELER ï jeff.wheeler@startribune.com The Minnesota United Football Club introduced the team's first high-profile - and highly paid - designated player, Darwin Quintero, at a news conference in St. Paul Monday afternoon, April 2, 2018.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/XDLJWVPUKQHHSTGCYSO7QCZZRY.jpg?&w=1080)
Darwin Quintero of Minnesota United was chosen to play in the Major League Soccer All-Star Game after two players bowed out of Wednesday's game in Atlanta.
Defender and team captain Francisco Calvo of the Loons previously was chosen for the game.
The All-Star Game matches MLS players against Italian side Juventus, which has won seven consecutive Serie A titles.
Quintero, a 30-year-old forward from Colombia, joined the Loons as a designated player March 31 and has nine goals and eight assists in 17 games to lead the team in scoring. He and Tyler Adams of New York Red Bulls were named Monday to replace LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic and New York City FC forward David Villa.
MEGAN RYAN
Lynx re-sign Larkins
Two short-term contracts have turned into a more permanent situation for Lynx forward Erlana Larkins.
The team announced that Larkins has been signed for the remainder of the season as the Lynx push for playoff position with nine regular-season games left.
Larkins' physical play, especially notable when setting screens for shooters, and her passing skills were evident in recent games. The eight-year veteran is averaging 13.1 minutes per game, 2.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds.
![Minnesota United FC Francisco Calvo photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/I6SHQFE2AW5TT5WH7WRYZBATUU.jpg?&w=1080)
