Minnesota United has transferred Emanuel Reynoso to Club Tijuana after the Argentine went AWOL for seven weeks earlier this campaign in Cordoba.
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Reynoso went AWOL for 2nd time in 2023Argentine at center of three controversies in three yearsLoons show no lost love, transfer starGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?
The Loons announced Thursday that their greatest-ever player was departing the club for Liga MX. In a statement Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Khaled El-Ahmad said: “We would like to thank Emanuel Reynoso for his time and contributions on the field with Minnesota United. The club wishes him the best in the future.”
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Reynoso, a sensational footballer with a wand of a left foot, was at the center of three major controversies during his time in Minnesota. In 2021, he was accused of pistol-whipping a teenage boy in Argentina and spent approximately 10 days in jail as a result. In 2023, he missed the first five months of the MLS season after going AWOL in Argentina; he was suspended by MLS without pay during that span.
Now, in 2024, he went AWOL again – skipping a Green Card appointment during the FIFA international window. He was absent for seven weeks until recently returning. The Loons showed no lost love upon his return, though, immediately working an outward transfer for him.
Prior to the transfer, just last week, a video surfaced on social media via Cordoba news outlet that showed the Argentine holding a bag full of cash with an unidentified man, who was holding what appeared to be a handgun.
MLS said that they were investigating the clip.
WHAT CAPTAIN MICHAEL BOXALL SAID
Speaking on on May 23, the Loons captain and central defender Michael Boxall spoke on Reynoso being back in Minnesota, but how the team were reacting after his second unexcused absence. On the Argentine's character, the New Zealand international relayed that he's the 'nicest guy' but that when he departs the country, issues come about.
“When he’s in the building, on the training pitch on the field with you, in person, he’s the nicest guy," Boxall said. "I don’t know. But something happens when he touches down in Cordoba. …Yeah.”
Getty WHAT NEXT FOR MNUFC?
Minnesota are back in action Saturday evening against Sporting Kansas City. The I-35W rivals will clash at Allianz Field in St. Paul as both look to bounce back from midweek defeats.