Fred Emmings
The vitals
- Full Name: Fred Emmings
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Nationality: USA / Luxembourg
- Date of Birth: Feb. 8, 2004
- Hometown: St. Paul, MN
- Years at MNUFC: 2020–2024
- MNUFC Apps: 0 (First Team), 38 (MNUFC2)
- Honors: First Homegrown Player in club history
The first homegrown
Fred Emmings etched his name into Minnesota United history on Jan. 22, 2020, when he signed as the club’s first-ever homegrown player. A St. Paul native who grew up just miles from the stadium, Emmings joined the academy in 2017 and rapidly rose through the ranks due to his imposing 6-foot-5 frame.
Interestingly, Emmings began his soccer life as a striker. It wasn’t until a growth spurt in his early teens that coaches converted him to goalkeeper—a move that defined his professional trajectory.
MNUFC2 and development
Blocked by established veterans on the first-team roster, Emmings became a staple for the club’s reserve side, MNUFC2, in MLS NEXT Pro.
- 2022: Made 13 starts in the inaugural NEXT Pro season.
- 2023: Enjoyed his best campaign, making 24 starts and earning a reputation as a penalty-stopping specialist.
- Record breaker: In a 2023 match against Austin FC II, he set a league record with four saves in a single penalty shootout.
Departure
After five years in the organization (four on an MLS deal, one on a NEXT Pro deal), Emmings was released following the 2024 season. He left the club without making a competitive first-team appearance, though he did feature in international friendlies against German sides SC Paderborn (2022) and FC Kaiserslautern (2023).
