Report: Minnesota aiming to alter name, join MLS in 2017

In the end, Minnesota might not be as united as once thought.

Sports Illustrated reports that Minnesota United, the latest MLS expansion franchise, might need to change its name before joining the big leagues, since D.C. United and Atlanta United have already claimed the "United" nickname.

Minnesota United, formed in 2010 to play in the North American Soccer League, has held the name far longer than Atlanta, but since Atlanta was set to join MLS in 2017 - one year before Minnesota's 2018 start date - the nickname was available for claim.

There is no rule limiting name use, but Sports Illustrated reports that Minnesota's owners are interested in speeding up their entrance to the league, targeting a 2017 kickoff. MLS is apparently unwilling to have three teams with the same name, especially with two entering the league at the same time.

Minnesota would be allowed to keep its current logo, pictured above, but it could be tweaked to feature a different moniker, something D.C. United doesn't mind one bit.