Loons Boost Midfield With Second Round Pick Hassani Dotson

After going according to Adrian Heath’s stated plan to boost the defense in the 1st round, Minnesota United FC continued to pick players behind the forward line, taking Hassani Dotson out of Oregon State University. A four-year starter for the Beavers, Dotson was a 2nd team All-Region player according to United Soccer Coaches, and was the 46th-ranked player on TopDrawerSoccer’s final Big Board.

Playing as a dual #6/#8 in college, Dotson played every minute of his senior season, scoring once for a team that placed second behind perennial powerhouse Stanford in this year’s Pac 12 season and making the NCAA tournament.Dotson was a solid performer at the MLS Combine as well, placing eighth in the agility run and scoring while playing as a holding midfielder.

The big question for him at the next level will be which role he takes on. As a defensive midfielder, he’ll need to take on a bit more aggressive of a character, something that Osvaldo Alonso could help him with in training. If he turns into more of a box-to-box type—given his stamina, that’s a big possibility—he’ll need to learn to be an offensive asset. Five goals and three assists in four college seasons is a concern, but if given the keys to get further upfield he could unlock more long shots and passes.