21 March 2024
Minnesota United won both sides of its same-time doubleheader Wednesday night.
Jordan Adebayo-Smith scored a hat trick in the second half as MNUFC2 beat Chicago House 3-0 in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday in Elmhurst, Ill.
Meanwhile in St. Paul, MNUFC beat St. Patrick’s Athletic 1-0 in an international friendly at Allianz Field. Kervin Arriaga scored on a back-heel assist from Bongi Hlongwane in the 57th minute.
MNUFC2, the Loons’ developmental second team, will advance to the second round of the national tournament on April 2-3.
MNUFC2 did what three other MLS NEXT Pro league teams failed to do Tuesday: win. Portland Timbers 2, Austin FC II and Chattanooga FC were all upset on the opening night.
Plenty of kids
Loons Chief soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad has brought a different approach to MNUFC2 this season, with more academy kids in the mix and fewer incoming signings tailored specifically for the second team.
A handful of current academy kids were in the starting XI against Chicago House: Darius Randell, Justin Arias, Jonah Gasho, Tamer Ibsais.
The Loons’ bench included all academy prospects: Kai Zeruhn, Julian Banks, Giovanni Cruz, Andrew Heckenlaible, Dom Mawing, Nathan Moua and Dominick Vargas.
ETA for Reynoso?
Loons star midfielder Emanuel Reynoso, who is away from the team this week, has a scheduled appointment for his U.S. green card in Argentina, and pending the timing of that process, the aim is for him to return before the Philadelphia Union match on March 30.
With all immigration processes, the timing of the process falls outside the club’s and the player’s control.
MNUFC was working toward a green card with Reynoso in 2023, but that process was upended when Reynoso didn’t report to the team until May.
Reynoso’s pending green card will help the Loons open up one of eight international roster slots before what’s expected to be a busy summer transfer window.
MNUFC has six international roster spots occupied by senior team players. Both rookies, Hugo Bacharach and Morris Duggan, would take up international spots if with the first team.
Briefly
Bacharach, the Loons’ first-round draft pick, was not involved in either team Wednesday. The Spaniard needs to obtain a work visa, the club said. … Six United players are away on international duty over the next week: Teemu Pukki and Robin Lod (Finland), Michael Boxall (New Zealand), Dayne St. Clair (Canada), Joseph Rosales (Honduras) and Alejandro Bran (Costa Rica). … Carlos Harvey, whom the Loons acquired from Phoenix Rising for an approximate $200,000 transfer fee, made his first appearance in the friendly in St. Paul.
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