Minnesota United has not changed its approach toward finding a resolution with star midfielder Emanuel Reynoso.
Last week, Loons manager Adrian Heath echoed the message that has been consistent since Reynoso did not report to preseason camp in early January, and into mid-February, when MLS suspended him without pay as he remained at home in Argentina.
Heath said last Friday the club has been working to communicate with Reynoso, and Heath continued to express hope Reynoso will return to MNUFC this season.
At 3-0-2, the Loons are unbeaten without their two-time MLS All-Star going into Saturday’s game at Chicago Fire.
The Clarin newspaper in Argentina said via a translation Wednesday that MNUFC “is considering the possibility of blocking (Reynoso) until the end of the 2026 season.”
A Pioneer Press source dismissed that statement on Thursday.
Last September, Reynoso signed a new three-year contract with MNUFC though the 2025 season, including a club option for 2026. The Argentine paper was using that timeline and drew a parallel to a situation between Turkish club Fenerbahce, FIFA and another Argentine player Ariel Ortega in 2003.
Last season, Reynoso was the club’s highest-paid player at $1.06 million, and was believed to be in line for a substantial raise to approximately $2 million this season.
The club has said Reynoso has been away for “personal” reasons and his absence isn’t tied to his alleged assault in Argentina in December 2021.
Reynoso, 26, is a valuable asset given his playmaking and goal-scoring abilities. He continued to show that a season ago as one of only six MLS players to register double-digit goals and assists. The Loons want that type of player on their team, regardless of what has transpired this spring, and they aren’t going to give him away to another club.
But a clock is ticking. Reynoso occupies one of three Designated Player (DP) spots on the roster, and while the Loons have been successful to start the season, they have scored only four non-penalty-kick goals in five games. The team has shown a chemistry without Reynoso, but his absence remains a distraction.
“I don’t know how we get it resolved other than we try to get messages to him and we try to speak to him and some common sense prevails and he can get himself back here,” Heath said last week. “At this moment in time, it is helping nobody. We’ve got a DP spot there and he’s not here.”
The MLS primary transfer window closes April 24, and the Loons’ front office, while frustrated, is expected to remain patient with Reynoso until at least the summer transfer window (July 5-Aug. 2).
“We have to decide what we do in a few months, I would think, (and) where that leaves us,” Heath said. “But at this moment in time, we are still trying to get him back here as soon as possible.”
Clarin reported that Reynoso is in his hometown of Cordoba, Argentina, adding that he has “distanced himself” from the mother of his young daughter and has been playing with the neighborhood soccer team.
Run for Rosales?
A report out of Honduras claimed Loons midfielder Joseph Rosales can opt out of his one-year contract based on his playing time, but a source told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday that is erroneous.
Rosales has played 116 minutes in three of the five MLS games this season, including one start. After playing six minutes in the 1-0 win over St. Louis City on Saturday, Heath said Rosales requested to play for MNUFC2 on Sunday and he went 76 minutes for the club’s developmental team.
Open Cup
The Loons will play at Detroit City in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup on April 25 or 26, according to the draw released on Thursday. Details on the match in the national tournament will be shared Friday. MNUFC was upset by third-tier Union Omaha in last year’s tourney.
