We all saw forward Angelo Rodriguez break out in a big way against New York City, but we were not witness to all of Rodriguez’s work behind the scenes with his teammates that made it happen and has begun to right the ship after an uncharacteristically slow start to his MLS career.
After picking up a knock against D.C. United, Rodriguez was unable to train for two weeks. Though Rodriguez felt he was ready for Minnesota’s homecoming against Portland Timbers, Head Coach Adrian Heath opted to start Romario Ibarra up top. That decision left Rodriguez hungry for his next opportunity and when it came he delivered, notching a brace last Saturday against NYCFC.
“He was really disappointed he didn’t start the week before,” Heath said. “I was pleased with Angelo at the weekend. I thought his play, his hold-up play and letting people join in and play off of him was excellent and for a striker it is always great to get a couple of goals. It gets the confidence going.”
It has taken time, and perhaps longer than some expected, but MNUFC is starting to see returns on its sizable investment in Rodriguez. The Colombian Designated Player has scored three goals in his last three appearances for the Loons after being held off of the score sheet in his first four — which he and his coaches credit to finally starting to feel comfortable in his new surroundings.
After his breakout two-goal outing against New York, Rodriguez credited his “great group” of teammates with helping him acclimate to both a new club and a new country. Heath noted that kinship has been especially noticeable in players like midfielder Miguel Ibarra and defender Francisco Calvo, who have been invaluable in helping Rodriguez overcome the language barrier.
“The likes of Miguel and the likes of Francisco, who can speak really good English, they are the bond or glue that keeps a lot of it together,” Heath said. “The fact that Miguel has been here a long time and knows what the city is and what it is about has been really important to them.”
Language and cultural barriers aside, new players are also often surprised by the speed and physicality of life in MLS. Rodriguez is beginning to flash his potential and as he moves forward in his MNUFC career, Heath believes the best is yet to come for him and the team’s other summer signings as they adapt to how soccer is played stateside.
“It is never easy when you come into a completely new culture,” Heath said. “The game is played differently all over the world. The best days of Angelo and Romario and the guys who come in will be next year when they know what to expect, the tempo of the game and what is expected of them, physically. They will be better for that.”
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: THIESSON, LOONS FIGHTING UNTIL THE END
With its postseason hopes clinging to life, Minnesota United has become an afterthought for many in the postseason picture. But the not yet eliminated Loons still have four games to play, including two at home, and they haven’t heard no bell.
“People have been waiting for a long time for us to be officially out,” defender Jerome Thiesson said. “We are still not. We are going to try and keep that going as long as possible and prove all of these people wrong. Crazier things have happened.”
Thiesson’s strong words are more than just talk. Prior to the game at Real Salt Lake on September 15, Heath challenged his team to look at its remaining seven games as a season of sorts to push the Loons towards a strong finish and Thiesson has personally risen to that challenge. After dealing with nagging injuries all season, he came back and put in a 90-minute shift at right back last weekend against New York City FC and played a big role in the stout defensive effort that sealed the 2-1 win — Minnesota’s second-straight win and third-straight game with a point.
“I am definitely not where I want to be or where I can be, but I think I am able to play and help the team,” Thiesson said. “If the coach sees it the same way and wants me to play then I am going to give 100 percent — whatever 100 percent is going to be. I am lucky. Last game it worked out. I had 10 amazing teammates around me that helped me. If it works out like last weekend, then I think everybody is happy.”
