Minnesota United looks to be once again facing an extended period without star playmaker Emanuel Reynoso.
The Pioneer Press’ Andy Greder was the first to report the development Tuesday.
Reynoso had been granted leave from the club in March to acquire his U.S. green card in his native Argentina. According to Greder, Reynoso was progressing through the immigration process but then failed to show up to the green-card appointment.
If Reynoso had received his green card, it would have freed up an international spot on the Loons roster. It also would have provided Reynoso a pathway to bring his family into the country. MLS roster construction rules allow teams to have eight international players; teams are allowed to trade for additional international roster spots. Currently Minnesota has all eight spots occupied.
“Emanuel Reynoso did not attend his recent green card appointment, and he remains in Argentina. We do not have an updated timeline for his return and have no additional comment at this time. Our entire focus is on the players and staff who are here,” Khaled El-Ahmad, MNUFC’s chief soccer officer, said in a statement Tuesday.
“Our entire focus is on the players and staff who are here.”
— Jon Marthaler (@jmarthaler) April 9, 2024
This is the second consecutive year that — and third time in a little over 112 months —Reynoso has failed to return to Minnesota.
The two-time MLS All-Star was suspended without pay for the first five months of the 2023 season after failing to show up to the club’s preseason training camp last January. Reynoso eventually did return in late May and ended up scoring six goals and adding in four assists in 18 games.
Reynoso then missed the first week of the club’s training camp this January, eventually telling media he had asked the club for a delay in order to line up medical care for his pregnant girlfriend.
Minnesota went 5-6-4 without Reynoso last season. So far this season, the Argentine playmaker has played in just 31 minutes of action, coming off the bench in a 2-0 win over LAFC.
The Loons currently sit fourth place in the Western Conference with a 3-1-2 record.
