Kiel played out a goalless draw with Minnesota United to round out their pre-season trip to the USA. - © IMAGO/Michael Turner

2. Bundesliga, bundesliga

Holstein Kiel head back to Germany following successful US tour

08.07.2025

Holstein Kiel are on their way back to Germany following a 10-day training camp in the USA.

Kiel set up camp in the city of Minneapolis, where they trained for the 2025/26 campaign. They played a friendly match on 7 July against local outfit Minnesota United, with the game ending in a goalless draw.

"This trip is a great opportunity to present German football and Holstein Kiel, particularly to the United States, with a year until the start of the 2026 [FIFA] World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico," said former Kiel sporting director Carsten Wehlmann following confirmation of the tour at the start of 2025.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the DFL and our agency Match IQ [for organising the trip]."

John Tolkin (r.) made 11 Bundesliga appearances for Kiel following his January 2025 transfer from New York Red Bulls. - IMAGO/Philippe Ruiz

As well as the Minnesota Utd fixture, Kiel's first team played against two sides from the U.S outfit's academy on 1 July. They went on a boat tour to mark 4 July and also visited the NFL's Minnesota Vikings, as well as a local German immersion school, before flying home on 9 July.

A Kiel outfit boasting US international full-back John Tolkin were relegated at the end of their first ever season in the Bundesliga, after finishing seven points adrift of outright safety. They begin life back in Bundesliga 2 on the weekend beginning 1 August.

Bundesliga duo Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund were stateside for the revamped FIFA Club World Cup, while Eintracht Frankfurt will travel to Louisville, Kentucky for a pre-season training camp from 22 July to 3 August.

Recap Kiel's US tour below:

Homeward bound

Kiel took a six-hour bus ride to Chicago on Tuesday, from where they boarded a flight back to Germany on Wednesday afternoon. "It was very good that we spent a lot of time together off the pitch, because the team grew even closer together as a result," said head coach Marcel Rapp upon the conclusion of the tour. "The time passed very quickly, which is a very positive sign in my view."

Reunion with San Francisco Glens

Back in June 2019, Kiel entered into a partnership with US club San Francisco Glens and have been in regular contact since, with youth coaches from Kiel, for example, holding summer camps for young footballers in the Californian city. From Friday to Monday, two Glens representatives, Executive Director Mike McNeill and U17 coach Daniel Zerabruk (l. & r.), helped further this collaboration by visiting the Storks’ training camp in Minnesota where they took part in training sessions and exchanged ideas.

Kiel held by Minnesota United

On Monday evening local time, Kiel faced Minnesota United in a friendly match at Allianz Field. The game ended in a goalless draw, but the Storks had plenty of chances to win, with Minnesota goalkeeper Alec Smir making a whole host of saves to keep his side on level terms.

1:19

Watch: Kiel's day at the ballpark

What do you make of Engelhardt's ceremonial first pitch?

Taking in a ball game

On Sunday afternoon, the Kiel squad took a trip to Target Field to watch local baseball side Minnesota Twins take on Tampa Bay Rays. Marcel Engelhardt was even able to throw the symbolic first pitch. Phil Harres, Lasse Rosenboom, goalkeeper coach Patrik Borger, coach Lars Jordan, and team manager Sebastian Ermuth joined him on the field. "It was a great honor for me to open the game. I was chosen because we had a game format in practice, which I won with my team. Afterwards, I was chosen to throw out first pitch," said Engelhardt.

Back to training on Sunday

Kiel were put through their paces on Sunday as they prepared for the friendly with Minnesota United on Monday, going through an intensive warm-up followed by game-like exercises.

1:27

Watch: Off-pitch highlights

With the 4th July boat trip and visit to the Mall of America, it has been a busy weekend after training for Kiel's players.

Kiel's day at the mall

After another training session, the Kiel squad and staff took off to the Mall of America where they spent Saturday afternoon interacting with fans and young aspiring footballers.

1:28

Watch: Kiel warming up in Minnesota

After enjoying a boat trip and the Independence day fireworks, Rapp's Kiel side kicked off day seven with an intense warm-up session on the training grounds of Minnesota United FC, ahead of the scheduled July 7 friendly between the two teams.

Celebratory Storks

The Kiel squad enjoyed a boat trip out to Lake Minnetonka, during which they got a spectacular view of nearby Independence Day fireworks. The club's head of football, Jan Uphues, said: “Events like this are also something special, of course. We are all gaining new personal impressions here and, above all, experiencing many special moments together. The team spirit is growing from day to day."

Happy 4th July!

The Kiel team will get to experience the 4 July festivities later. They're set to mark the occasion with a boat tour.

Two-touch training with Shuto Machino

Kiel's Goal Machino was in good form in training on Friday morning. Holstein fans will be delighted he's not been picked up by another side, after the Japan forward struck a team-leading 11 times in the Bundesliga last season.

Back to training - and special guests

The Kiel squad returned to training on Thursday after a quieter Wednesday, and they were joined by Jonas and Thorsti, two Kiel supporters who have made the trip from Germany to the U.S.A for the training camp. "At some point, the idea came up to support Holstein at the training camp as well. This is a great opportunity to meet players and those in charge," the latter explained.

2:02

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Regeneration day for Kiel

After a busy start to their U.S. schedule, the Kiel squad enjoyed a more relaxed Wednesday. In the morning they went through a recovery session before having some free time in the afternoon. Some players went to the Mall of America, while others played a round of Topgolf.

Q&A session

Prior to the test matches against Minnesota United's academy, however, a Kiel delegation took part in a Q&A session alongside that of their soon-to-be opponents. Finn Porath and Marcel Engelhardt represented the Storks' players, next to head coach Marcel Rapp, assistant coaches Dirk Bremser and Alexander Hahn, and representatives from the club's management. On the other side of things, Julian Gressel and Morris Duggan - two German players - represented Minnesota United.

Kiel record two victories against Minnesota United academy

Kiel played their first test matches on Tuesday, lining up for 45 minutes each against two teams from Minnesota United's academy. They won the first half 2-1, and followed that up with a 1-0 victory. The German side dealt well with the hot conditions, with the games played in temperatures of over 30 degrees.

Newcomer in the camp

German goalkeeper Jonas Krumrey, 21, has linked up with his new teammates in Minnesota after completing a move from Red Bull Salzburg. The former Bayern Munich youngster, who spent last season on loan at Danish side Lyngby, has signed a two-year deal.

First training session complete

After arriving on Sunday, Kiel went through the first training session of their summer camp on Monday. Following some passing and game exercises, a small-sided tournament followed and was won by Phil Harres, Carl Johansson, Louis Köster, Hamza Muqaj, Leon Parduzi, Lasse Rosenboom, Stefan Schwab, and Timon Weiner.

Kiel players coach youngsters

On Monday, Patrick Erras, Andu Kelati, and Marco Komenda visited the Twin Cities German Immersion School in St. Paul with trainer Timm Sörensen. At the predominantly German school, the four devised a varied program for almost 100 students. "The children were very motivated. We tried to teach them a lot, and we had a lot of fun together. It was a great event for everyone," said Erras.

3:55

Watch: All of Shuto Machino's goals for Holstein Kiel

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All smiles from the gaffer

The prospect of the near-10 hour flight duration certainly didn't discourage Kiel head coach Marcel Rapp, who was visibly in high spirits before flying across the Atlantic.

A long journey west

Prior to the excitement of supporting their teammate in the Gold Cup quarter-final however, the Storks had to embark on a nine hour flight from Frankfurt to Minneapolis.

The tension was palpable!

Some of the Kiel players - including Armin Gigović (c.) and Finn Porath (r.) - could hardly watch as the penalty shootout between the USA and Costa Rica went down to the wire.

Tolkin stars as USA advance

Kiel full-back John Tolkin came on in the 84th minute as Costa Rica pushed the USMNT all the way to penalties, with the game finishing 2-2 at full-time. But the USA ultimately emerged victorious, winning the shootout 4-3. Alongside Tolkin, other recognisable faces for Bundesliga fans came in the form of former Bayern starlet Malik Tillman, who started in midfield, and Cologne forward Damion Downs, who came on as a substitute in the 78th minute.

Storks stick together

In the evening, the Kiel players and staff were off to the U.S. Bank Stadium to watch the CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarter-final between the USA and Costa Rica, supporting their USMNT teammate John Tolkin, who was named on the team sheet.

Touchdown in Minnesota!

The Storks have arrived in the US for their pre-season tour. After landing in the afternoon and checking in at the hotel, the Kiel squad took in the Minneapolis sights on a team walk.

Important dates for Kiel

Get your calendars out Kiel fans, these are the dates you need to stay on top of, for the tour of the States: June 29 to July 9: Training camp in Minnesota Tuesday, July 8 at 2am CEST: Friendly against Minnesota United FC

On the Bundesliga 2 front

The Storks return from their US tour at the end of July to prepare for the start of the season in which the opening weekend sees them face Paderborn away from home meanwhile last season's Pokal finalists Arminia Bielefeld will be the first visitors at the Holstein Stadion.

Marcel Rapp busy in recruitment

Kiel have begun adding depth to their numbers early ahead of the 2025/26 Bundesliga 2 campaign - a total of eight signings have been completed including Jonas Therkselen (right) pictured above. Other names include Kasper Davidsen, Marcus Müller, Hamza Muqaj, Mladen Cvjetinovic, Stefan Schwab, Luca Prasse and Leon Parduzi.

New season, new look for the Storks!

Ahead of their trip to the States, the Storks launched their new home and away kits with an interesting design on the front which incorporates several key aspects of the Kiel region - an outline of the Kiel Fjord as well as the Kiel Canal, the Schwentine River, and the Kleiner Kiel River, which are the region's other prominent bodies of water, were also incorporated. Furthermore, a small star west of the Kiel Fjord marks the location of the Holstein Stadium.

Without John Tolkin

Kiel's U.S.A. international Tolkin will not be with the team for the trip to his homeland, although he will still be in the country - he is currently competing for the USMNT at the Gold Cup, with the U.S. to face Costa Rica in the quarter-finals.

Exhibition game planned

Kiel's first team will also play their reserve team in a exhibition match in the States. On top of that, they will also go on a boat tour to mark 4 July and visit the NFL's Minnesota Vikings, as well as a local German immersion school, before flying home on 9 July.

Kiel head Stateside!

Holstein are representing Germany's second division in the USA this summer as they embark on a pre-season tour to Minnesota ahead of the 2025/26 Bundesliga 2 campaign. Marcel Rapp's men cross the Atlantic on 29 June for a 10-day American adventure, which includes a friendly match against Minnesota United on 7 July. Stay tuned here for all the latest updates from the Kiel squad on tour.