Minnesota Scene: Vikings' four preseason opponents set

Case Keenum's debut in a Broncos jersey will come against the Vikings.

NFL teams announced preseason opponents Wednesday, and the Vikings' opening game will be in Denver. The date isn't set yet but will be between Aug. 9-12 in the first week of the exhibition schedule.

Keenum signed a two-year, $36 million contract with the Broncos last month. The Vikings went 12-4 in Keenum's starts at quarterback last season, ending in a NFC Championship Game loss.

In their second preseason game, the Vikings will return to U.S. Bank Stadium to host the Jacksonville Jaguars between Aug. 16-19 and the Seattle Seahawks between Aug. 23-26. The Vikings' preseason schedule will end Aug. 30 in Tennessee against the Titans.

Against the Seahawks, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson will face his former team. And the Vikings will host a couple of their former defensive linemen in Seahawks Tom Johnson and Shamar Stephen. Both signed in Seattle during free agency last month.

Andrew Krammer

Minnesota United acquired Alexi Gomez, a versatile Peruvian player, in a loan agreement with an option to buy.

Gomez is a "great deliverer of a ball into the box, from set pieces and on the run, so I just think it's another piece for us that will increase even more competition," Heath said.

Gomez, 25, turned professional in 2012 before moving to Universitario in 2013. He played on Peru's under-20 national team that year. He left Peru in 2015 to play in Sweden before returning the next year and rejoining Universitario. He scored 12 goals in 33 games during the 2017 season. He also had five appearances with the Peru men's senior national team.

"He's very dynamic," Heath said. "He can play three or four really good positions, which I think will help us."

Gomez is left-footed and can be a defender or midfielder.

Jack White

• Three Gophers who were seniors in 2017 — tight end Brandon Lingen, punter/kicker Ryan Santoso and defensive tackle Andrew Stelter — were named to the National Football Foundation's Hampshire Honor Society. All maintained a 3.2 grade-point average or better throughout their careers.