29 August 2023
Minnesota United will likely remain without leading scorer Bongi Hlongwane for Wednesday’s match against the Colorado Rapids at Allianz Field.
Hlongwane, who has 15 goals in all competitions in 2023, did not train with the Loons in Blaine on Tuesday and is expected to miss his second consecutive game. After hurting his knee during the 2-0 win over New York City on Aug. 20, Hlongwane sat out the 1-1 draw with Seattle on Sunday.
“Will we rush him back?” manager Adrian Heath said. “Probably not.”
Heath was initially hopeful Hlongwane, who does not have structural damage in his knee, could return to play against Seattle or Colorado. The new goal might be for the South African to return for a game at San Jose late Saturday night or New England at home on Sept. 9.
But it looks like Emanuel Reynoso (ankle) will remain in the starting XI on Wednesday after swelling in the joint set in before the NYCFC match. The Argentine played against New York and the Sounders, but tweaked his ankle in the first half Sunday.
Reynoso trained Tuesday and didn’t appear bothered by his ankle. Post practice, he was bouncing around as he participated in a soccer/table tennis game with his fellow Latino teammates.
The Loons (8-8-8, 32 points) are currently in 10th place, just outside the MLS Cup Playoff field with 10 matches to go. MNUFC, which has the second-fewest home wins in MLS this season, plays the last-place Rapids (3-11-10, 19 points).
“This is one of them games,” Heath said. “You look at the fixture list and you go, ‘This is an important game for us.’ If we get three points, it will put us back above the playoff line.’ ”
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