- Years with club: 2010–2011 (NSC Minnesota Stars), 2015–2016 (Minnesota United FC)
- Position: Midfielder
Andrei Gotsmanov is a figure whose career spans the earliest professional eras of the club’s modern history. Born in Minsk, Belarus, he moved to the United States when his father, former Soviet international Sergei Gotsmanov, played for the Minnesota Thunder in the mid-1990s. Andrei himself began with the Minnesota Thunder, then played for the successor club, NSC Minnesota Stars, where he was a key central midfielder. He was an integral part of the 2011 team that won the NASL Soccer Bowl Championship. After a few years away, he re-signed with the re-branded Minnesota United in 2015, adding depth and veteran experience during the final years before the MLS transition.
Key stats:
- Total appearances for franchise: 50+ (Including Thunder, Stars, and United)
- Goals: 3 (across all NASL-era appearances)
- Accolades: NASL Soccer Bowl Champion (2011)
Memorable moments:
- The championship goal: In the 2011 NASL Semifinal, Gotsmanov scored a pivotal goal that helped NSC Minnesota Stars defeat the Carolina RailHawks, securing their place in the championship final which they ultimately won. This was arguably his most significant contribution on the field.
- The family lineage: As the son of a Minnesota soccer legend (Sergei Gotsmanov, who played for the Minnesota Thunder), Andrei was part of a rare family tradition of professional soccer in the Twin Cities, making him a unique connection to the history of the sport in the state.
Where are they now?:
- Gotsmanov was released by Minnesota United in April 2016, which marked the end of his playing career.
- He transitioned into coaching and youth development in the Twin Cities area.
- He currently serves as the General Manager for Joy of the People, a non-profit organization in St. Paul dedicated to promoting street soccer and youth development.