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, an end appears to be in sight.
The overwhelming expectation is that Reynoso will depart the club this summer, according to multiple sources briefed on the situation — who requested anonymity to discuss a delicate and fluid matter.
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Reynoso is currently in Argentina, though he is supposed to be with the club. He has appeared in only one game this season, first due to injury and now due to him not returning from a March 25 trip to Argentina for a green card meeting (which he missed). He remains in South America, having missed multiple scheduled flights back.
Reynoso is scheduled to fly back to Minnesota this weekend, but given the growing number of missed flights and broken promises, sources are doubtful as to whether he will end up on that plane. Even if he does return, he will have a huge hill to climb to be reassimilated into the first team.
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And, even if all of that happens, any return to the field won’t be with the view of a long-term reconciliation. Minnesota — both privately and publicly — insist they are focused only on the players who have shown up. Reynoso is out of sight, out of mind, particularly after they feel they’ve done everything they can to help and support him.
Sporting director Khaled El-Ahmad said in a statement that “our entire focus is on the players and staff who are here” when Reynoso’s latest absence came to light. Captain Michael Boxall described that feeling even stronger.
“I think we’ve all kind of moved on,” Boxall told the Pioneer Press. “I don’t even know if anyone actually knows what the situation is. I think he’s made decisions that kind of shows everyone around here that he doesn’t care too much about the club.”
Minnesota will seek a transfer of Reynoso, though they understand it is unlikely they will recoup much of the club-record $5 million transfer they paid Boca Juniors to sign him in 2020, sources briefed on the situation say. They have actively been working on finding a new club for the summer.
If no transfer is possible, which would be understandable given Reynoso’s propensity not to show up, Minnesota could seek a loan with a purchase option. Again, they understand it wouldn’t be a huge fee even if all goes well.
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The final option would be to terminate Reynoso’s contract with cause, but the club will explore the first two options first, sources say.
Minnesota’s approach is much different now than it was when the club faced a similar issue with Reynoso last year.
In 2023, Reynoso never turned up for preseason, and ultimately arrived four months late. That time around, there was a real desire the club to bring him back and reintegrate him quickly. Club executives and people in Reynoso’s professional circle took many trips to Argentina to convince him to return. That came with many missed flights and broken promises, too.
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Reynoso ultimately missed nearly half of Minnesota’s MLS games in 2023 but returned to the lineup quickly upon his return.
This winter, Reynoso had the chance at a fresh start. El-Ahmad took over as sporting director and Eric Ramsay head coach. He quickly burned those bridges.
The tale of Reynoso’s career in MLS is one of highs and lows. He is one of the most talented and joyous players in the league when he’s playing. He led the Loons to new heights, including ever so close to making 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 in the best of times, Reynoso’s playstyle doesn’t align with the high-energy, transition vision from El-Ahmad and Ramsay.
Still, it will be hard not to imagine what could have been for a supremely talented yet troubled player.
(Photo: Lyndsay Radnedge/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
