Loons make first acquisition of the offseason, snagging Peter Stroud from RBNY

Less than a week after free agency opened signalling the beginning of Major League Soccer’s silly season the Loons made a huge move acquiring Peter Stroud from the New York Red Bulls. The Loons have traditionally been a fairly quiet team in the off-season over the last 10 years, though that has been changing under manager Eric Ramsay and sporting director Khaled El-Ahmad. Stroud is just the first acquisition in what should prove to be a lively offseason as MNUFC has the largest amount of cap space in MLS.

“I’m super excited to get to work for Minnesota United and play in front of the passionate fans at Allianz Field next season,” said midfielder Peter Stroud.

The New Jersey native and former Duke Blue Devil had spent most of his career, both at the youth and senior levels, with the Red Bulls. At the youth level Stroud also represented the US at both the U15 and U17 levels. At Duke University he made 56 appearances, scoring 6 goals, and notching 12 assists and being named Midfielder of the Year in back to back seasons.

Stroud played for all senior level sides in the RBNY system from the U23’s in USL League Two, New York Red Bulls II in MLS Next Pro, and the senior side in Major League Soccer. After spending 2021 with the Red Bulls U23 side he split the next summer between New Jersey’s FC Motown and North Carolina’s Tobacco Road FC. His performance with both clubs saw him ultimately earning a spot on USL2 Eastern Conference team of the year, alongside then Long Island Rough Rider and current Loons keeper Wessel Speel.

“Peter brings valuable MLS experience and a strong understanding of the league’s demands, with potential to improve,” said MNUFC Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Khaled El-Ahmad. “We expect him to apply that familiarity to elevate our midfield, while his energy and upside will be important assets as we prepare for the upcoming season.”

Stroud signed with the Red Bulls as a homegrown player ahead of the 2023 season, forgoing his senior year of college soccer to turn pro. During his time in New Jersey with the Red Bulls, Stroud made 83 appearances in all competitions while notching 4 assists. He also made 7 appearances for their Next Pro side during the 2023 season.