Minnesota United will open the season without star midfielder Emanuel Reynoso when they visit FC Dallas on Saturday night at Frisco, Texas.
Reynoso didn’t report to training camp with the Loons and the MLS suspended him without pay. The two-time All-Star is entering the first season of a three-year extension that includes a team option for 2026.
Reynoso is in his native Argentina dealing with personal matters, according to the team. Minnesota coach Adrian Heath said he hasn’t spoken to Reynoso but had recent conversations with Reynoso’s father and brother.
“Hopefully in the next few days, weeks, I don’t know,” Heath said of Reynoso’s possible return. “Hopefully a bit of common sense will prevail and then he’ll be back here.”
Reynoso, 27, led the Loons in goals (10) and assists (11) last season. He has 16 goals and 28 assists in 71 matches over the past three seasons.
Minnesota went 14-14-6 last season and was eliminated in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs by FC Dallas. The score was tied 1-1 after 120 minutes before FC Dallas prevailed in a shootout.
FC Dallas, which went 14-9-11 in 2022, lost in the conference semifinals to Austin FC and then parted ways with long-time stalwart defender Matt Hedges in the offseason. Forward Francisco Jara also departed after the two sides agreed to a mutual separation.
All-Star Jesus Ferreira is back after setting a franchise record with 18 goals. Fellow forward Paul Arriola (10 goals) also was a first-time All-Star last season, and he is looking for FC Dallas to take a step forward this season.
“You can’t be content with what you did the previous year,” Arriola said. “We’re definitely not content. We know we have a lot of room to grow — individually and collectively.”
FC Dallas acquired forward Jesus Jimenez and a 2023 international roster spot from Toronto FC earlier this week in exchange for midfielder Brandon Servania. Jimenez scored nine goals for Toronto last season.
“Jesus is an experienced player with a proven goal-scoring record in the league,” FC Dallas technical director Andre Zanotta said in a news release. “We felt like Jimenez would complement our group really well.”
FC Dallas coach Nico Estevez said Jimenez won’t be available until he gets his visa.
Minnesota forward Luis Amarilla (nine goals) also could miss the opener for similar reasons.
Also, the Loons and Alan Benitez mutually decided to terminate the defender’s contract on Friday.
–Field Level Media