After 18 months of uncertainty, including multiple instances of star midfielder Emanuel Reynoso refusing to return to Minnesota and fulfill his contractual obligations with Minnesota United, the end appears to be in sight.
The overwhelming expectation is that Reynoso will leave the club this summer, according to multiple sources briefed on the situation – who requested anonymity to discuss a delicate and fluid matter.
Reynoso is currently in Argentina, although he is supposed to be with the club. He has only appeared in one game this season, first due to injury and now because he failed to return from a trip to Argentina on March 25 for a green card meeting ( which he missed). He remains in South America, after missing several regular flights home.
Reynoso is expected to return to Minnesota this weekend, but given the increasing number of missed flights and broken promises, sources doubt he will end up on that plane. Even if he returns, he will have a huge hill to climb to be re-assimilated into the first team.
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And, even if all of this happens, any return to the field will not be with long-term reconciliation in mind. Minnesota – both privately and publicly – insists it is only focusing on the players who showed up. Reynoso is out of sight, out of mind, especially after he felt they did everything they could to help and support him.
Sporting director Khaled El-Ahmad said in a statement that “our focus is entirely on the players and staff who are here” when Reynoso’s latest absence was revealed. Captain Michael Boxall described this feeling even stronger.
“I think we’ve all evolved,” Boxall told the Pioneer press. “I don’t even know if anyone actually knows the situation. I think he’s made decisions that show everyone here that he doesn’t care too much about the club.
Minnesota will look to move Reynoso, although it understands it is unlikely to recoup much of the record $5 million transfer it paid Boca Juniors to sign him in 2020, sources say informed of the situation. They are actively working on finding a new club for the summer.
If no transfer is possible, which would be understandable given Reynoso’s propensity to not show up, Minnesota could seek a loan with an option to buy. Again, they understand that it wouldn’t be a huge amount, even if everything goes well.
The last option would be to terminate Reynoso’s contract for cause, but the club will explore the first two options first, according to sources.
Minnesota’s approach is much different today than it was when the club faced a similar issue with Reynoso last year.
In 2023, Reynoso never showed up for preseason and ultimately arrived four months late. At that time, there was a real desire from the club to bring him back and reinstate him quickly. Club leaders and members of Reynoso’s professional entourage made numerous trips to Argentina to convince him to return. This also came with many missed flights and broken promises.
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Reynoso ultimately missed nearly half of Minnesota’s MLS games in 2023, but returned quickly to the lineup upon his return.
This winter, Reynoso had the chance to make a fresh start. El-Ahmad took over as athletic director and head coach Eric Ramsay. He quickly burned those bridges.
The story of Reynoso’s MLS career has been one of ups and downs. He is one of the most talented and joyful players in the league when he plays. He led the Loons to new heights, including a close call on the MLS Cup in 2020, losing in the Western Conference final to Seattle after taking a 2-0 lead.
The club is moving in a new direction. Even at the best of times, Reynoso’s playing style doesn’t match El-Ahmad and Ramsay’s energetic transition vision.
Still, it will be hard not to imagine what could have been for an extremely talented but troubled player.
(Photo: Lyndsay Radnedge/ISI Photos/Getty Images)