By Megan Ryan

Star Tribune

Minnesota United’s trade of Christian Ramirez on Monday sent many fans into a bit of an existential crisis where they seemed to suddenly realize everything is ephemeral and nothing, not even a longtime franchise favorite, lasts.

In the grand scheme, that might be true. But at least in terms of the Loons, there’s still some hope left.

Center back Brent Kallman has known only one club his entire professional career, having played with United in the North American Soccer League since 2013. And besides the rookies and second-year pros on United’s roster, he’s the only one with the potential to live out that one-team dream.

“When you come in, the thought that you’re going to be playing for the same team all your career, it doesn’t happen,” coach Adrian Heath said. “That’s why they make such a fuss of the guys that do when they’ve been one-club men.”

Heath started off his playing career at his hometown club Stoke City and went on to play for another six clubs before he retired. Kallman, who grew up in Woodbury, has the rare opportunity of possibly playing with his local team his entire career.

In a few ways, Kallman, 27, is one of the last current United players with longstanding ties to the team. With Ramirez’s departure to LAFC, there are now only three holdovers from the club’s NASL team, including Miguel Ibarra and Ibson. Kallman is also one of only three players claimed as one of the state’s own, along with Duluth-born Ethan Finlay and Woodbury-raised Eric Miller.

“I think for the fans, it means a lot,” fellow center back Michael Boxall said of Kallman. “I imagine it must be very cool to play professional football in front of your friends and family week in and week out.”

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.