Loon Droppings: Robin Lod’s Status, Reynoso, and a Brief Scouting Outlook

Image: Minnesota United

Adrian Heath announced Monday that midfielder and Finnish International Robin Lod is going to be out for an expected “four to six months.” Heath is meeting with the doctor and club physio staff later Monday afternoon, but Lod is going to be sidelined for the foreseeable future. the Loons midfielder suffered a torn meniscus at home against the Houston Dynamo this past week.

“I don’t know the full time scale of everything, I’ve not really had the chance to sit and speak to the doctor, but I think we’re looking at four to six months,” Heath said. “Big disappointment for us, but this is football and you have to overcome these things and he will – he’s a strong kid. We’re hopeful he’ll make a full and speedy recovery.

Lod announced that he underwent surgery Monday morning on Instagram, posting a photo of him in the hospital.

“I want to thank all the doctors, nurses & everyone at @mnufc organization for taking such good care of me,” Lod said. “Thank you to my teammates and everyone in the club for all the support you have shown me, truly appreciate all of you. lIl be back!”

When asked if the injury was season-ending for Lod, Heath said “I think it is certainly a possibility and we will err on the side of caution rather than rushing him back.”

Other Status’

Defender Bakaye Dibassy is ahead of schedule in terms of recovery from his season-ending injury in 2022. He could return to full-team training by the end of May.

Defender Mikael Marques will return to first-team training when the group returns back to Minnesota from their Open Cup match against the Houston Dynamo Tuesday evening. The Swedish central defender has been dealing with an ankle injury, with Heath noting that Marques has rolled the same ankle “two or three times.”

Defender Doneil Henry did not travel with the group to Houston for the Open Cup tie, meaning Brent Kallman is the only healthy central defender that did not play on the weekend against the Portland Timbers

Defender Miguel Tapias and midfielder Joseph Rosales took knocks Saturday evening against the Portland Timbers, with their status for Tuesday night’s match to be determined Monday evening. Rosales took a knock to “the outside of his knee” per Heath.

Emanuel Reynoso will participate in his first training session of the season on Thursday, once the group returns from Houston. The Argentine will NOT, however, participate in a full-session. “He’ll join in – in some capacity,” Heath said. “I don’t want people to get the idea that he’s going to fit and all-in on Thursday.” The Loons boss added that he’ll likely join in on warmups and then move to the side with strength and conditioning coaches.

Scouting Outlook

Adrian Heath informed media Monday afternoon that the club will not pursue any Free Agent signings at the moment despite the long-term injury to Robin Lod. However, the Loons boss shared what their plan is heading into the summer transfer window that opens Wednesday, July 5.

“We’ll wait (until summer to make transfer moves) – I think we’ve identified a couple of people that we would like to try and add to the group if we can,” Heath said. “We are actively looking at this moment in time and I would be very disappointed that come the next transfer window, we don’t bring one or two players in.”

MNUFC signed former Designated Player Thomas Chacon in 2019 from Uruguayan side Danubio FC. Chacon was scouted by the Loons in the 2019 U20 FIFA World Cup, and eventually brought to Minnesota after the conclusion of the tournament. Now, four years later, the 2023 U20 FIFA World Cup is underway. The Loons are front and center watching matches, but so is every MLS club and the majority of Europe’s top teams.

“Everybody’s there. It’s not like we’re the only team down there. You know, there’s people from all over the world and every European club will be there looking for the next superstar. It’s always difficult. It’s difficult for MLS to actually go down there and go and take the best kid from Ecuador or from Uruguay or from Argentina because, as I said – every team’s down there – but we’ve got people who are looking at the games,” Heath said.  You know, you can identify if the players are there. but it’s whether you can actually either pay for them or then convince them that MLS is the next best step for them rather than going straight to Europe.”