Minnesota United today announced that it has acquired midfielder Sam Cronin and defender Marc Burch through a series of transactions. MNUFC acquired Sam Cronin off waivers after trading its natural third-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft to the Chicago Fire for its #1 waiver order position. The team also acquired Marc Burch from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Mohammed Saeid, Josh Gatt and an international roster spot.
“With this move we have added strength, leadership and MLS experience to our roster.” said MNUFC Sporting Director Manny Lagos. “Sam Cronin and Marc Burch were leaders on and off the field in Colorado and we are confident they will bring these important qualities to our club.”
Cronin is in his ninth MLS season and last year played more than 2,000 minutes for his fifth season in a row. After being drafted by Toronto FC in 2009, he was traded to the San Jose Earthquakes in 2010. He was voted the Quakes’ Most Valuable Player by media, coaches and teammates in 2013 before going to the Rapids in 2015, where he wore the captain’s armband and made his first MLS All-Star Game appearance. He was voted Players’ Player of the Year in 2016. Cronin earned two caps for the Men’s National Team in 2009.
Burch is a 12-year MLS veteran with over 200 regular season appearances. He set career highs last season with Colorado Rapids in games started (27) and minutes played (2,443). Most recently, he was named to the MLS Team of the Week for Week 3 after tallying an assist in Colorado’s 2-2 draw with MNUFC. Burch was drafted by LA Galaxy in 2006 and played for Columbus Crew SC, D.C. United and Seattle Sounders before joining the Rapids in 2014. He made MLS Team of the Week twice last season.
“We are bringing in two strong players with a lot of MLS experience that can help us from the moment they arrive,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “From the beginning, I’ve said we will be constantly evaluating our roster and any additional needs and moves we need to make. We feel that both Sam [Cronin] and Marc [Burch] are confident players who will be ready to step in immediately and make an impact with this club. We wish nothing but the best to Mo [Saeid] and Josh [Gatt] in Colorado.”
Midfielder Josh Gatt played overseas from 2010–16 before returning to the U.S. to join MNUFC earlier this year. Midfielder Mohammed Saeid played for Columbus Crew SC for two seasons before being selected by Minnesota with the sixth pick of the 2016 Expansion Draft.
Minnesota United squares off against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, April 1 at TCF Bank Stadium and single match tickets are still available. It’s not too late to join the Itasca Society. Fewer than 700 spots remain in this exclusive club as we rapidly approach the inaugural season limit of 11,842 members — one for every lake in Minnesota. A portion of all proceeds from these season tickets are donated to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Loon Monitoring program. Both season and single match tickets are available now at MNUFC.COM or by calling 763.4SOCCER.
TRANSACTION: Minnesota United FC acquires the #1 waiver order position from the Chicago Fire in exchange for the club’s natural third-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft and selects Sam Cronin off of waivers on March 31, 2017.
TRANSACTION: Minnesota United FC acquires Marc Burch from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Josh Gatt, Mohammed Saeid and an international roster spot on March 31, 2017.
Sam Cronin
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 165
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Date of Birth: December 12, 1986
Nationality: United States
Last Club: Colorado Rapids
Marc Burch
Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 180
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Date of Birth: May 7, 1984
Nationality: United States
Last Club: Colorado Rapids
