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Minnesota United will start play just before the MLS is Back Tournament with a pre-tournament friendly against Columbus Crew. That match we be played on Sunday, July 5th at ESPN Wide World of Sports outside Orlando. Following that match MNUFC will face Sporting Kansas City on July 12th at 7PM, then Real Salt Lake on 17th at 9:30 PM, followed by the Colorado Rapids on the 22nd at 9:30 PM. All games will be broadcast on ESPN and SKOR North.
The Loons also transferred Romario Ibarra to C.F. Pachuca yesterday. This actually finishes a transaction started in May of 2019 when Minnesota loaned him to the Liga MX side for 13 months. Following that 13 month loan Pachuca had the option to make the transfer permanent and did take that option. Ibarra joined the Loons in July of 2018 and only played 17 games in the grey and blue kits of Minnesota United.
Jeff Carlisle of ESPN has also reported that the Loons are still pursuing Boca Juniors player Emanuel Reynoso.
Adrian Heath says that #MNUFC pursuit of Boca Juniors attacker Emanuel Reynoso is "still ongoing." https://t.co/bJ0g7ONzvm
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) July 1, 2020
Ike Opara has also stated that he is not with the team in Orlando but rather is back in Minnesota rehabbing a preexisting condition. The team however has not reported on what that condition is or could be.
(1/2) Before it’s reported elsewhere, I want to let the fans know that I am currently not in Orlando with my teammates. I am continuing my physical rehabilitation on a preexisting condition that was agreed upon between the league and MNUFC. I’m sad I’m not there with my guys
— Ike Opara (@ikeopara) July 2, 2020
In less MNUFC but more tournament news FC Dallas has reportedly (at time of writing) had 9 people test positive for COVID-19. You can check out more on our sister site Big D Soccer for their write-up on the situation. Massive Report has also confirmed that the Columbus Crew have one player test positive so far.
Stay tuned to E Pluribus Loonum for more pre-tournament updates on Minnesota United FC.