Minnesota United announced today the club has re-signed attacking midfielder Emanuel Reynoso to a three-year Designated Player contract, plus a club option, starting in 2023.
“Well he’s an integral part of everything we are trying to do here. We’ve always said we have one of the best players in the league and for him to commit, which for me are his main years of his career, to the club speaks volumes for what we are trying to do,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “But more importantly, he gives us a real integral piece of what we hope will be a real successful future because he will be a huge part of that. We’ve got a really good working relationship and I don’t sugarcoat things with him, I let him know when I think things aren’t going right and he responds in the right way. We’re looking forward to having him. I know he’s pleased to be here so let’s go put some nice pieces around him and keep moving up that table.”
The 2022 MLS All-Star is the definition of a “game-changer.” Since Reynoso joined the club in 2020, the Loons are 25-5-5 across all competitions in games in which he contributes a goal or an assist. So far this season, he is one of only three players in MLS with double-digit goals and assists, currently sitting with 10 goals and 10 assists on the year. Reynoso leads the league in successful dribbles with 128. In addition to leading MNUFC in goals and assists this season, he also leads the team in MLS Team of the Week appearances with seven and is the club’s all-time leader in assists with 34 across all competitions. During the summer stretch when the Loons went 8-1-2, the number 10 tallied seven goals and provided six assists. In Week 21, Reynoso was named Player of the Week for the first time after his performance against D.C. United on July 16, where he scored his second brace of the season.
“The truth is since the first day I arrived, they treated me very well. I feel like a family here,” said midfielder Emanuel Reynoso. “I’m thankful for the club, the technical staff, and all of my teammates. I’m very happy and content, as well as my family. To be able to extend my contract is good for me, good for my family. We’re very happy here in Minnesota. I’m going to give my best to this lovely club, who gave me everything.”
Upon arriving in 2020, Reynoso was immediately invaluable to Minnesota, providing creativity in the offense and a willingness to defend. Playing in only 13 regular-season games in 2020, Reynoso provided seven assists, one goal, and only appeared in one loss. The Argentine made MLS history in the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, providing three assists in back-to-back playoffs games for the first time in MLS Cup Playoffs history. Reynoso played a role in all eight goals the Loons scored in the postseason, assisting in seven and scoring one off a free kick against Seattle in the Western Conference Final.
“El Rey” continued his success from his debut season in 2021. He finished the season leading the team in assists with ten and scoring five goals. Reynoso led the team in MLS Team of the Week appearances with six, and was a finalist for Player of the Week. He was the lone MNUFC player selected for the 2021 MLS All-Star Game, but missed the game due to injury.
Reynoso began his professional career with his hometown team Club Atletico Talleres in Cordoba, where he made 52 appearances from 2014–2017. He joined Boca ahead of the 2017–18 season where he scored seven goals and provided 12 assists across all competitions, including three goals in the 2020 Copa Libertadores and two goals with eight assists in Superliga play. Across his career in Argentina, Reynoso made key appearances in major competitions such as Copa Libertadores, Copa Argentina and Copa Superliga.
Transaction: Minnesota United signs Emanuel Reynoso to a new three-year Designated Player contract, plus a club option, starting in 2023.
VITALS
Emanuel Reynoso
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 11.16.1995 (26 years-old)
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 150 lbs
Hometown: Cordoba, Argentina
Citizenship: Argentina
