Minnesota United's Ramirez Ready For MLS

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Nobody is surprised by what Christian Ramirez has done so far this season.

"I doubt it," said Minnesota United coach Carl Craig.

But that doesn't make it any less impressive.

Ramirez has scored a goal in Minnesota United's last three matches in a row.

He also leads the league in goals this year, with four already in just five games.

"This year, I took a different approach and I asserted myself into the team during preseason, and found a good rhythm," said Ramirez.

"I think he's doing what he's always been doing, but we have more ammunition underneath, more weapons underneath to supply him," Craig said.

A good number of new acquisitions on the squad this season are MLS-ready players who were brought here for next year's transition to the big league. And they're helping Ramirez light it up at this level in the meantime.

"We've got better quality to serve him and the kid can finish, he always has been able to finish, so, he's doing that," said Craig.

"It's good. It's really good. You learn a lot from them, nitpick at questions," said Ramirez. "Danny Cruz, Bernardo [Anor], guys have played seven years in the MLS, so they've been around and they understand what it takes to play at that level."

Ramirez is an MLS talent already. The fact is, if Minnesota wasn't headed there next season, he'd probably already be there with someone else.

"We've had to work hard to keep him here," said Craig. "People outside the country are looking at him as well. He's certainly got the ability to go on to the next level I think."

"We're all on one-year deals, essentially, trying to prove ourselves. And that's how I see it," said Ramirez. "I have nothing guaranteed for next year, in regards to MLS. So I'm just doing my part to take my part on the field, and let the off the field stuff handle itself."