Emanuel Reynoso arrived at Minnesota United after a long pursuit by the club. Aiming to sign him prior to the 2020 season, talks came to a halt during the pandemic. In late August, the Loons were finally able to complete the deal, a reported $5m transfer fee to acquire Reynoso from Boca Juniors. He signed as a Designated Player, originally through the 2023 season. He made his debut on September 2nd, playing 19 minutes in a loss to Houston. In his first two starts, he assisted one goal in each to help Minnesota win both games. By the time the last match of the season hit, Reynoso had already assisted 7 goals. In this final match against FC Dallas, Emanuel Reynoso rocketed in a first-time strike with his magical left foot for his first MLS goal. Minnesota United finished in fourth the West.
It will be difficult to find a run of playoff form as sharp as Reynoso's in 2020. In Minnesota's first two playoff games, they defeated both Colorado and Sporting Kansas City by a scoreline of 3-0. Reynoso assisted all SIX of those goals. For the second goal in game number one, Reynoso picked out Robin Lod for a pretty finish. In the Western Conference Semis, he assisted Molino on the first goal, then again for the second goal on an absolutely perfect ball over the top. These six assists would not be the last for Reynoso in the playoffs Minnesota visited Seattle for the Western Conference Final in December. In the 29th minute, Reynoso broke the tie with a curling free kick over the wall, off the near post, and in. In the 67th, Reynoso dropped a free kick onto the head of Bakaye Dibassy for a 2-0 lead. It's too bad that El Rey and Minnesota didn't get a chance to play in MLS Cup, as Seattle equalized in the 89th minute, then won it in the 94th in the most dramatic fashion.
In 2021, Minnesota hoped to come back with a vengeance. Reynoso opened his 2021 account in the best way possible, a smashing free kick into the upper 90. He came alive in the summer months, scoring once and assisting four in a five match span. In a match against LAFC, he shook Marco Farfan off for an inch of space before sending a strike into the opposite side netting. In a September match against the other Los Angeles team, Reynoso scored the double. The first was a worm burner from 25 yards out to open the scoring, the second an incredible left footed hit to make it 2-0. Emanuel Reynoso just makes things happen, there's simply not many other players in the league that can do what he does on a game to game basis. He most definitely passes the eye test. Minnesota battled their way into fifth place at the close of the 34-match slate. It was all for naught, going out to another Cascadian side in Portland in their first match.
In 2022, Reynoso truly started to settle into Major League Soccer and show his ability. His dribbling is the best in MLS, backed by statistics. In 2021, he led the successful dribbles per 90 stat with 4 per game. In 2022, he lead the league again among eligible players, upping his number to 4.8 per game. His 13 big chances created and 74 total also rank among the league's best in 2022. Reynoso bagged his first of the season via a penalty kick in April, then scored his second against Chicago Fire later in the month. In June, Reynoso terrorized LA Galaxy with a brace, scoring a floatatious strike from long-range. In the very next match, Real Salt Lake suffered the same fate. El Rey scored twice, showcasing his dribbling ability for all to see. Just days later, it was DC United giving two goals to the man himself. Reynoso hit a clever trivela to put the Loons on the board. He was named a 2022 MLS All-Star. At the end of 2022, Reynoso had amassed 10 goals and 11 assists. Minnesota entered the playoffs as six seed, and it was Reynoso who opened the scoring in match one against FC Dallas. Alan Velasco ultimately sent Minnesota United home in penalties.
This season, 2023, got off to a strange start for Emanuel Reynoso. After that last playoff game, he did not play a match for Minnesota in the next eight months. He did not report to preseason due to personal issues, and was suspended without pay in February, touting the nickname Reynoshow around MLS circles. Though, upon his arrival back in the States, MLS fans across the league were quite aware of his whereabouts. Leading up to his first start, Minnesota were winless in their past five matches. In his first start back with the team in June, he scored at the back post against Real Salt Lake. One week later, Reynoso picked his spot and scored an olimpico against Portland. It became a brace when Bonogkuhle Hlongwane picked him out at the far post for a tap in. In a 4-0 beatdown of Puebla during Leagues Cup, Reynoso showed his patience and scored a wonderful chip. He added a second goal minutes later through an incredible curling free kick. Reynoso's most recent pair of goals were scored on August 30th against the Colorado Rapids. As it stands, Minnesota United currently sit in the eight position of the Western Conference, a wild card spot.
Emanuel Reynoso has a unique relationship with a soccer ball, it's as if the thing is glued to his boot. He will look to push into a solidified playoff position across the next month with his Minnesota United side. Ever since that 2020 playoff run, Reynoso has been yearning to get back to the deeper rounds of the playoffs and compete for MLS Cup. In order to do that, he will need to be at his very best, as he's the type of player that makes all the players around him better. Emanuel Reynoso comes in at #81 on the list.
YEAR | CLUB | MINUTES | GOALS | ASSISTS |
2023 | MIN | 999* | 6* | 2* |
2022 | MIN | 2,526 | 10 | 11 |
2021 | MIN | 2,391 | 5 | 10 |
2020 | MIN | 826 | 1 | 7 |
Comments