The term “playmaker” gets used a lot by analysts when best trying to define a player’s versatile skill set, and the Loons’ faithful is quite familiar with prolific players of that ilk. They had it early on in their MLS history with the likes of Darwin Quintero and, more recently, Emanuel Reynoso. They were special talents, regularly inspiring jaws to drop and shocked facial expressions to stick when celebrating the magic they would create on the pitch. And, if his previous body of work is any indication, the Loons may have the next one in their midst today with the addition of Argentinian midfielder Joaquín Pereyra to the roster.
Even in his first week with the Black and Blue, the 25-year-old midfielder was already making an impression on the squad, as Coach Eric Ramsay would attest to after some of Pereyra’s early training sessions with MNUFC.
“He is as advertised. I would say he’s very technical, plus he’s got a great physical profile for someone in his sort of number 10 wide player…and he’s got really good character. He’s serious and wants to get better…and that’s exactly the type of player we want.”
When considering the amount of signings the Loons made during the transfer window, it’s clear that Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad is making good on his goal of injecting more youth into the roster. In the case of Pereyra, his impact goes beyond the stat line. He is just entering the prime of his career and, if his last few seasons in the Argentine Primera División are any indication, Pereyra is a top-tier playmaker that may be playing some of the best soccer of his career just as he begins his tenure at Minnesota United.
The midfielder played a pivotal role in the attacking third of his previous club, Atlético Tucumán, and those abilities only became more polished over the course of his last two seasons there. For a squad like Minnesota United that is looking to find players with more a consistent ability to create chances, Pereyra may be the perfect piece to fit the Loons’ midfield puzzle.
Whether Coach Ramsay plans on playing Pereyra higher up the field or in a deeper midfield position, Pereyra is the type of player that can have a massive impact on the fluidity of the match. While Pereyra isn't known as a major goal-scoring threat, he is consistently on target and, even at range, can force goalies to react to his accuracy. But again, that’s just one of the many weapons in Pereyra’s arsenal, and he’s only getting warmed up.
Ultimately, all of the versatile traits Pereyra brings to the table add up to a top-flight player that can unlock defenses—an incredibly valuable asset for a club pushing toward a playoff berth. And, after Pereyra’s performance in his debut, Coach Ramsay sounds particularly bullish on the impact that the young Argentinian can have on the Loons’ midfield this season, and beyond.
“He really grew into the game. It was exactly as I had expressed to you guys beforehand as I anticipated with him…he showed what a good player he can be on the ball and what a difference-maker he can be. When he was close to some of the other creative and technical players in the middle, then he had some really nice moments. He’s obviously got an eye for a final pass and if I could’ve scripted the night for him it would’ve been something along those lines where he has a feel for the adaptation he needs to make defensively and intensity-wise. He shows his quality on the ball and is able to play an hour or so and come through unscathed and that’s a really good platform for him.”
With the head man offering a glowing review like that after just one start, it’s fair to believe we may have the Loons’ next big playmaker in our midst.
