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MNUFC Loans Tani Oluwaseyi to San Antonio
Minnesota United announced Thursday they’ve placed forward and 2022 first-round SuperDraft pick Tani Oluwaseyi on loan to San Antonio FC for the remainder of the season, with the right to recall him at any point in the season.
The 22-year old spent most of last season recovering from injury, and began the 2023 campaign as a prime attacking depth option for Adrian Heath. However, since the signing of Sang Bin Jeong, Oluwaseyi has been mostly training and playing for MNUFC2.
This move gives the youngster an opportunity to get the minutes necessary to continue his development at a high level in the USL Championship, while playing alongside former Loons Jacori Hayes and Nico Hansen.
“We want to try and put him in the best competition that he can be in, to play regularly, and that is the USL first division,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “San Antonio are last year’s champions, great environment, a good crowd and a proper stadium. We feel we’ll get a better idea and a better picture of what we’ve got with Tani when he’s playing consistently and this is the best route for him at this moment in time. We still have high hopes of him and think there’s something there, and this will us a clearer picture of where we think he is.”
Historical context says this type of move can be just what the player needs to reach his full potential. Back in 2020, then backup Dayne St. Clair was loaned to San Antonio. There, the GK received quality playing time he wasn’t getting with the first team, and played himself into a starting role with Minnesota soon after his return.
U.S. Open Cup 4th Round Draw
Minnesota United will play their Round of 32 match in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on home soil at Allianz Field.
The Loons’ opponent will be Philadelphia Union, who have sputtered to start the MLS campaign, but seem to be cup-focused as they’ve advanced to the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions League. The 4th round is set to be played Tuesday, May 9 and Wednesday, May 10. No word yet which date or time MNUFC will be playing.
Injury/Availability Updates
Good news and bad news from Minnesota United training Thursday.
According to Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press, Kemar Lawrence was back with the group after dealing with a family health issue in Jamaica last week. Wil Trapp was a full participant as well after missing both Seattle and Detroit with a hamstring issue. Meanwhile, Kervin Arriaga is dealing with his own hamstring setback and did not train. Adrian Heath told reporters he would know more Friday about status’ for Sunday’s match vs. FC Dallas.
Leagues Cup Details
Start times and broadcast details have officially been announced for MNUFC’s Leagues Cup matches. The Loons will kick off at 8 p.m. vs. Club Puebla at Allianz Field Sunday, July 23rd. The match will be available on MLS Season Pass, UniMas, FS1, and TSN in Canada. Minnesota follows that up by hosting Chicago Fire at Allianz Field Thursday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m., broadcast exclusively on MLS Season Pass.
With positive results, Minnesota will advance to the Leagues Cup knockout stage, which runs through August 19.
Dominic Jose Bisogno 
Carter Hoffer