Now that MLS' international summer-transfer window is open, Minnesota United is pursuing Finnish national team midfielder Robin Lod.

United is in negotiations to add the 26-year-old, left-footed midfielder, who plays for Sporting de Gijon in Spain's second division, according to a source with a knowledge of the discussions.

Lod is the kind of attacking wing who would fill a need for the Loons, who traded captain and veteran defender Francisco Calvo to Chicago and loaned attacking midfielder Romario Ibarra to a Mexican team to create financial room for this transfer window, which opened Tuesday.

United's other areas of need: The left-back and center-back positions on their defensive line.

On Monday, coach Adrian Heath said his team was making "headway" toward being active in this transfer window. The Loons are on a three-game MLS winning streak and aimed toward the playoffs as they're currently in fourth place in the Western Conference.

"We're certainly going to go all the way through to get the two or three players that we feel we need to push it on now," Heath said.

Lod has played on Finland's national team with veteran United midfielder Rasmus Schuller. He has four career goals for the national squad.

This season for Sporting de Gijon in La Liga 2 play he has four goals and two assists.

JERRY ZGODA

and SOUICHI TERADA