Robin Lod

  • Years with Minnesota United: 2019–present (Joined July 2019)
  • Position: Midfielder (Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield, Winger)
  • Nationality: Finnish
  • Acquisition: Signed with Minnesota United FC in July 2019 as a mid-season transfer from Sporting de Gijón (Spain).

Robin Lod is a highly versatile Finnish international and one of the most significant players in Minnesota United’s Major League Soccer (MLS) history. He is known for his work rate, tactical flexibility (playing across the midfield and forward line), and consistent goal contributions.

Key stats and achievements with Minnesota United (MLS, 2019–2025):

  • All-time club leader (MLS goals): Ended the 2024 regular season as the club’s all-time MLS goal-scorer with 29 goals across six seasons.
  • All-time club leader (MLS goal contributions): Is the all-time club leader for most regular-season goal contributions in Minnesota’s MLS history with 58 (29 goals and 29 assists).
  • Appearances: Has played the second-most games (185) in the Loons’ MLS history.
  • 2024 season honors:
    • Named a finalist for the 2024 MLS Year-End Comeback Player of the Year Award after returning from a torn meniscus injury suffered in May 2023.
    • Earned his first MLS All-Star selection in 2024.
    • Set the club’s single-season assist record (15) and single-season goal contribution record (22) in 2024.

Notable Minnesota United moments:

  • Breakout year: His 2020 season was a breakout year, where he scored seven goals, which was second on the team.
  • First brace: Scored his first brace for the club in a 4-0 win over Real Salt Lake on September 6, 2020.
  • Playoff goal: Converted to a “false nine” in the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs and scored his first playoff goal in the first round against the Colorado Rapids.

Memorable moments and honors (Overall Career):

  • European Championship: Helped Finland qualify for the UEFA European Championship for the first time and played in every match for Finland at Euro 2020.
  • Finnish league success: Won three successive Finnish Veikkausliiga titles (2011, 2013, 2014), the Finnish Cup, and the Finnish League Cup with HJK Helsinki.
  • Finnish Player of the Year: Was selected as the Player of the Year for Veikkausliiga in 2014.
  • International career: Has represented the Finland Senior National Team since 2013, accumulating over 80 caps.
  • European clubs: Played for HJK Helsinki (Finland), Panathinaikos (Greece), and Sporting de Gijón (Spain) before joining Minnesota.

Current status (as of December 2025):

  • Robin Lod’s contract option was declined by Minnesota United FC in their season-end roster update (November 2025).
  • However, the club announced that they are in negotiations to keep him, along with goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. His current contract is listed to expire on December 31, 2025.