Like soccer itself, Khaled El-Ahmad, who joined the Minnesota Loons this past January, has a global resume. Born in Lebanon and raised in Sweden, he played college soccer at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, then held coaching and management positions in the U.S. and Europe. What lured him back to the Midwest? “MLS is one of the fastest-growing leagues in the world,” El-Ahmad says. “It’s the place to be in terms of a global game.” He’s seeking to help Minnesota United FC “win on and off the pitch,” boosting the team’s prowess as well as its statewide profile. As this issue went to press, the team had made it through to the quarterfinals of the MLS Cup playoffs.