Laing joins MLS-designate Minnesota United FC
Published:Wednesday | December 16, 2015 | 5:31 PM
National left back Lance Laing has joined Major League Soccer (MLS)-designate club, Minnesota United FC, the club announced on Tuesday on its website through the link http://www.nasl.com/news/2015/12/15/jamaican-international-lance-laing-j....
Laing is one of six NASL All-Star selections this year to be snapped up by Minnesota, who are hoping the Jamaican can add to their record-setting offence as they look to make the step up from the North American Soccer League (NASL) to the more prestigious and lucrative MLS by the 2017 or 2018 season.
Minnesota's sporting director, Manny Lagos, told NASL.com news they played against Laing for many years in the NASL and are excited to get the player.
"Seeing his growth from Fort Lauderdale to last season in Edmonton gives us the belief he will continue to grow and excel. As a player, he always presented us with challenges to play against and we're just really excited to have a player like that on the roster," he stated.
The 27-year-old has played every NASL season since the modern-era league began in 2011 and is the only player to be named in the NASL Best 11 three times. He has been a NASL All-Star for the last two years.
The Trelawny native first represented his country at the Under-17 level. He made his national senior team debut in 2008 against El Salvador and most recently played in the 2015 Copa America, where he starred against Lionel Messi and Argentina and the 2015 Gold Cup, helping Jamaica to a historic second-place finish behind Mexico.
He began his professional career in 2007 at Harbour View FC and moved after three seasons to his native parish club Village United, then playing the local top-flight. The defender then moved to Fort Lauderdale Strikers, where he played for two years.
"I'm very happy to be cheered on by Dark Clouds and their fans. I have always felt (from) playing here that Minnesota fans are the best in the League and I can't wait to be on the right side of their cheers. It's an honour to be joining a team that has so many great players and great coaches. It's going to be a great team to be a part of," Laing told NASL.com.