This week, Costa Rica national team player Jose Leiton joined the team in training for the first team since joining MNUFC on loan from Herediano in his home country. The midfielder got right to work, participating in drills and small-sided scrimmages this week as the side gets in extra training and also catches a bit of rest while MLS breaks for international play.

“On the field, in training, the truth is I like it a lot,” he said on Wednesday, speaking in Spanish. “It’s super different here [in comparison to] Costa Rica. The football is quicker and everything, so I like it a lot and I want to improve every day.”

He joins countrymen Francisco Calvo and Johan Venegas, both of whom are away to participate in World Cup qualifying play for Costa Rica. Leiton made his international debut for Los Ticos in the Gold Cup last month in a 2-0 loss to the U.S.

“I spoke with Francisco before I came here,” he said. “We sent a couple of messages back and forth and we were together at the Gold Cup for a few days. We talked and he gave me some tips.”

Leiton will wear #77 for the Loons and he’s looking forward to working toward new heights here in MLS after helping Herediano to a championship in the Campeonato de Verano 2017.

"The truth is that for a footballer, it's never enough,” he said. “You always have to aim for more. Thanks to God, who gave me the blessing of winning the championship back in Costa Rica, of being called up to the national team. And now in this step here, I think that life is still full of dreams. Now I have to improve, try to do things well here and keep working."

Minnesota United’s next home match is a tilt with Philadelphia Union on Saturday, September 9 at TCF Bank Stadium. The teams kick off at 7:00 p.m. 41 years of soccer in Minnesota means $41 gets you a deposit on season tickets for 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium — and seating priority for 2019 at Allianz Field. Buy match tickets for this season or make deposits on season tickets for the next at MNUFC.COM or by calling 763.4SOCCER.