Loon Landings: Roster Updates, MNUFC2, and more

The first week of December has been a newsworthy one for Minnesota United FC; Roster changes, players undergoing surgery, MNUFC2, MLS NEXT Pro, Winter Supply Drive, and Reynoso news.

Roster Updates

Exactly one week ago, Minnesota United released it’s off-season roster updates for the club as they head into the extremely short window between the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Four players; Michael Boxall, Hassani Dotson, Chase Gasper and Dayne St. Clair; have all been signed to new contracts that will begin in the 2022 season.

Minnesota also used contract options for Nabilai Kibunguchy, Justin McMaster, Romain Métanire, Callum Montgomery, DJ Taylor and Wil Trapp , which will keep those six on the roster next season. The Loons declined contract options for six more players, those being: Fanendo Adi, Juan Agudelo, Noah Billingsley, Ján Greguš, Brent Kallman, Jukka Raitala and Adrian Zendejas. Ozzie Alonso and Ethan Finlay are both free agents after their contracts expired without signing new deals.

After the roster cuts Minnesota United has 3 goalkeepers, 7 defenders, 13 midfielders, and 2 forwards under contract for a total of 25 players.

Weah to miss most of 2022

Patrick Weah has recently undergone successful ACL surgery, the club announced last week. The surgery will mean the 17 year old will miss most, possibly all of the 2022 MLS season.

MNUFC hosting Winter Supply drive

Last week, Minnesota also announced a winter supply drive that will take place from December 6th to 11th at the Black and Blue Team Store at Allianz Field. More info for the drive benefitting Open Hands Midway can be found here.

MNUFC joining MLS NEXT Pro in 2022

Yesterday both Major League Soccer and Minnesota United FC made the official announcement of the branding and teams for MLS’s new D3/Reserve League as MLS NEXT Pro. 21 teams will join for 2022, which are made up of 20 MLS clubs and the independent Rochester New York FC (FKA Rochester Rhinos). Minnesota United also announced that MNUFC2 will join for 2022 with MNUFC video analyst Cameron Knowles coaching the side.

The league will play a 24 match schedule followed by an 8 team playoff tournament to end the season. MNUFC2 has not announced a home location, however the two most likely spots would be either Allianz Field or the National Sports Center Stadium. NSC Stadium served as home of the Minnesota Thunder from 1990-2003 and 2008-09. Minnesota United also called the stadium home from 2010-2016 before moving to MLS in 2017 and playing out of TCF Bank Stadium for two seasons before Allianz Field opened in 2019.

Emanuel Reynoso

Yesterday afternoon it was reported by the Pioneer Press’ Andy Greder that MNUFC CAM Emanuel Reynoso had been accused of using a gun to threaten and hit a teenager at a party in his native Argentina. A new update by Greder has stated that Reynoso has reportedly since been arrested for the incident. His agent Jorge Sanchez del Bianco has denied his involvement of the incident stating he was not there during the incident.

We will be expanding on things and keeping everyone updated as this story progresses.