Adrian Heath has yet to coach Kei Kamara, but he knows what Minnesota United are getting in the 36-year-old forward who was traded to the Loons from the Colorado Rapids Saturday.
No introduction will be needed at the training ground. Heath said he’s known of Kamara since he played at Norwich City in England when his son Harrison was in the club’s academy. Heath has also long targeted the forward, who is fifth all-time on the MLS goals list with 129 career tallies.
“I have tried a few times to bring him into the club,” Heath said after Minnesota United’s 2-2 draw with the Houston Dynamo Saturday night. “A couple of his older coaches have rang me today and said, you’ll be amazed at his fitness levels for his age. What I won’t be amazed about is if we get quality balls in the box, I think he will score goals.”
Highlight: Kei Kamara scored late equalizer vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Yes, Kamara fills a void at center forward due to injuries to Luis Amarilla and Aaron Schoenfeld, but it's more than just a remarkable consistent scoring rate the Loons are getting. Like he did in Vancouver with Alphonso Davies, now arguably the best left back in the world and a regular starter at Bayern Munich, Kamara could serve as a mentor to young forward Mason Toye.
“I’m hoping that a little bit of mentorship and a little bit of understudy from Mason [Toye] watching a guy that has scored goals consistently within the league,” Heath said. “And, not only that, his strength and personality is something that people have spoke to us about over the last week or so since this has been going on. So, delighted that we’ve done the deal. We felt it was something that we couldn’t turn down in the current circumstances. And, we think he’ll be a big, big asset for us.”
