Adrian Heath is on course to complete his MLS dream.
The former Everton, Manchester City, Burnley and Stoke star has made a name for himself in the USA with stints at Minnesota United, his current club, and Orlando City. And after 13 years in America, he's edging closer to the perfect ending.
“Moving over to America was one of the best decisions I ever made,” says Heath. “The MLS is going places. Gareth Bale is the latest big name star to be tempted here and it's incredible how this League has grown. In my time here, I've seen 18 new stadiums built and a lot of billionaires take over clubs.
“I remember Don Garber, the MLS Commissioner saying a few years ago that by 2024, the MLS will be a destination of choice for many top players and that's already true. It's a great standard of life and the facilities are second to none. When I first came we took scheduled flights for away games, now everyone charters their own planes.
“I've had offers to return to England but nothing has excited me as much as the project I have here at Minnesota. I'm really happy here and I'll be surprised if I don't finish my managerial career at Minnesota.
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“I've signed a three-year contract last close season and that might be it. Then I'd fancy moving upstairs to help run the club from the boardroom. I've lived the dream over here and that would continue it on. It would be the perfect ending.”
Heath, a double league title winner at Goodison Park in their halcyon days under Howard Kendall in the mid-1980s, will welcome Frank Lampard and Everton on Thursday 21 Jult to the Allianz Field in Minnesota.
“Hosting Everton, the club that's in my heart, will be a great day,” he concludes.
