Photo Gallery: 2020 Season In Review

MNUFC made strides this past season that not many could have predicted. Take a look back on the hopes and highlights of the season through the lens of our photographers.

By Seth Steffenhagen Dec 23, 2020, 12:04pm PST

February 9, 2020 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Scenes from the 3rd annual Surly Boot Soccer Tournament at Allianz Field.

As the snow fell onto a dormant Allianz Field, the 2020 campaign in Loonesota was looking bright with aspirations and hopes of making another step into the playoffs. Luis Amarilla was brought in to be the new talisman up front for the Loons and the 2019 defender of the year Ike Opara was looking to continue his defensive prowess and lead the backline once again. However, as the world began to shut down due to the pandemic so did the stadiums in MLS and the home opener was put on hold. Months later the game eventually continued in cavernous venues across the league as fans were limited or completely devoid of them.

Despite the injuries, infections and international duty that caused a burden to the core of the team, there were a number of moments of progress and success that transcended the expectations of many. Robin Lod eventually settled into his place for Minnesota and went on to score 10 goals over the course of the year. The long sought after #10 was finally brought in as Emanuel Reynoso showed his brilliance and began to establish a remarkable partnership with Kevin Molino. The youthful and promising Dayne St. Clair stepped into the void between the posts as goalkeeper issues worked its way down the line of shot stoppers. He certainly made the most of his opportunities made a case to be #1 next season.

Even with all the hardships of this unprecedented season, Minnesota managed to keep those aspirations afloat and secured a home playoff game for the second consecutive year. The convincing win down in Kansas City and the near toppling of the goliath from Seattle was something that was not expected by most. Kevin Molino’s final goal for Minnesota will go down as one of the best. Even though that Reynoso and Molino tandem has been severed, what comes next may regenerate into something more exciting than what we’ve already seen from Reynoso.

Enjoy the holidays and the whirly world that is the silly season. During that time hopefully Minnesota will make some exciting acquisitions so that the Loons may continue to fly high and surpass our expectations in 2021. Most of all, may we stay in good health so that we may finally reunite and fill that dormant Allianz Field with enough organic noise and furor to awaken the Dethloon once again.