Story by
Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
Robin Lod shares uncertainty on his future with Minnesota United
- Story byPioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
- Robin Lod shares uncertainty on his future with Minnesota United
Minnesota’s United ’s likely last game at Allianz Field in 2025 was a smorgasbord — six goals, one red card, comebacks from both teams and an epic 10-round penalty kick shootout to pack in more drama.
The Loons’ victory over Seattle in the MLS Cup Playoffs last Saturday was arguably the greatest game in club history. And perhaps the final time club legend Robin Lod wears black and blue in St. Paul.
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The veteran midfielder does not know if MNUFC will pick up his contract option for 2026. Earlier this season, fellow United statesmen Michael Boxall and Wil Trapp had their 2026 contract options triggered by performances, while Lod is left waiting.
“It’s pretty open because there is (only) so much I can decide and then there is so much the club can decide,” Lod told the Pioneer Press before the Seattle win. “But I’ve been enjoying my time here in Minnesota and wish there will maybe be more years. But time will tell.”
The biggest sticking point might be that Lod is the Loons’ highest-paid player ($1.6 million) and the frugal club might deem a continuation of that term too expensive for a 32-year-old midfielder.
The Loons’ season marches into the Western Conference semifinal at San Diego FC on Nov. 24, which puts off the club’s season-ending roster decisions on Lod and others until their playoff run ends. A renegotiated contract on a lower salary might be possible. Lod wants to come back.
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“Yeah, of course,” he said. “It’s hard when you’ve been so long in the team. You really believe in this group and this coaching staff and everything. It’s, for sure, an option.”
Over the last two years, Lod has been a valuable piece for head coach Eric Ramsay, especially given the Finn’s skill and versatility to play anywhere from defensive midfielder to attacking mid to a false-nine forward.
Last year, Lod had an MLS All-Star season with 22 goal contributions (seven scored and 15 total assists), but this year, Lod’s goal contributes are halved (five goals, six total assists) while playing roughly the same amount of time (more than 2,300 MLS minutes) each season.
Coming from Sporting Gijon in Spain’s La Liga 2 in 2019, Lod has blossomed into one of MNUFC’s best players in its MLS era. In regular-season games, he leads the Loons in goals (34), assists (35) and is second to Boxall in games played (244 to 159).
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If the Loons decide to move on from Lod, their most-likely replacement is newcomer Dominik Fitz , who has not gotten off the bench in their three playoff games. Ramsay said the Austrian has found a steep learning curve into MLS but will have time to acclimate as he is just starting a four-year career.
If the club looks to the transfer market for a Lod replacement, they would have to pay a transfer fee and that would likely be more expensive than bringing Lod back on a lower salary.
Lod’s close friend, Teemu Pukki , left the Loons to return to their native Finland after the 2024 season. Pukki’s production had fallen off with the Loons a year ago, but he has been producing in bunches for HJK Helsinki with 14 goals and 10 assists in 29 matches.
Lod also started his career at HJK as a teenager but won’t follow Pukki back home just yet.
“Not next year,” Lod said. “I mean in the future, for sure, I think I will go back and play in Finland and my home team, but for now it’s not an option.”
