Once A Loon

• Years with club: 2020–2021
• Position: Goalkeeper

Adrian Zendejas joined Minnesota United in September 2020 via a trade with Nashville SC, brought in to provide emergency depth during a season complicated by the pandemic and compressed schedules. Standing at a towering 6’5″, the Chula Vista native had previously shown promise in the USL Championship and with Sporting Kansas City. During his time with the Loons, he served as a backup option behind Dayne St. Clair and Tyler Miller. Unable to break into the starting lineup due to the strong form of the goalkeepers ahead of him, he spent the majority of his 2021 season on loan with El Paso Locomotive to gain match fitness.

Key stats:

• First team appearances: 0
• Loan spells: Spent a significant portion of his contract on loan at El Paso Locomotive (USL Championship).

Memorable moments:

• The 2020 playoff squad: While he never made an official appearance for the club, Zendejas was part of the roster during the historic 2020 season where the club reached the Western Conference Final. His role was primarily on the training ground, helping prepare the starting goalkeepers for the club’s deepest-ever playoff run.

Where are they now?

After a journey through the lower divisions and Europe, Zendejas has made a return to MLS.

• The Scandinavian detour: After leaving Minnesota, Zendejas bounced between USL clubs (Charlotte Independence, Miami FC) before taking a bold step to Sweden in 2024. He signed with Skövde AIK in the Superettan (Swedish second division), where he finally found consistent playing time as a number one goalkeeper.
• Return to MLS (2025): His performances in Sweden caught the eye of scouts back home. In February 2025, he signed a contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps, marking his return to Major League Soccer as an experienced backup option.

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