Minnesota Scene: Loons pursuing Argentinian goalkeeper via loan

Minnesota United is pursuing 23-year-old Argentine goalkeeper Agustin Rossi as part of the offseason makeover of its starting lineup.

A report from Argentina said Buenos Aires club Boca Juniors would loan Rossi to Minnesota for 18 months with no fee, but with a $12 million option to buy his rights.

An MLS source confirmed Monday that United is interested in obtaining both Rossi and 28-year-old French right back Romain Metanire to fill two remaining positions of need now that it has acquired midfielders Jan Gregus and Ozzie Alonso.

All of it is an effort to improve the Loons defense — and their team — as they head into new Allianz Field, which debuts with their home opener April 13 against New York City FC.

Rossi has played 58 games — with 25 shutouts — with Boca Juniors since joining the team in 2017 and helped lead it to the Copa Libertadores tournament final.

MLS expansion team FC Cincinnati also reportedly has sought Rossi.

United on Monday selected Northern Illinois forward Kevin Rodriguez with the 75th overall pick in the SuperDraft. It then took Australian defender Mitchell Osmond from the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande College with the 94th overall pick.

The radio station previously known as 1500ESPN will rebrand Tuesday as SKOR North, with scheduled local programming from noon to 7 p.m. that includes a daily Vikings show throughout the year.

"Purple Daily" will air from noon to 1 p.m. and either be followed by another hour of Vikings talk, a Twins show or a Timberwolves show. Matthew Coller will have a show from 2 to 4 p.m., followed by two hours of Phil Mackey and Judd Zulgad with newcomer Ramie Makhlouf, who previously worked in Milwaukee.

The final hour will be one of a number of shows, one of which will include Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse.

Massachusetts and St. Cloud State swapped places atop the USCHO.com men's hockey poll, with UMass moving to No. 1 after the Huskies split a WCHA series with Minnesota Duluth. Denver, Ohio State and UMD rounded out the top five. Minnesota State rose two places to sixth.