Minnesota United won both sides of its same-time doubleheader Wednesday night.
Jordan Adebayo-Smith scored a hat trick in the second half as MNUFC2 beat Chicago House 3-0 in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday in Elmhurst, Ill.
Meanwhile in St. Paul, MNUFC beat St. Patrick’s Athletic 1-0 in an international friendly at Allianz Field. Kervin Arriaga scored on a back-heel assist from Bongi Hlongwane in the 57th minute.
MNUFC2, the Loons’ developmental second team, will advance to the second round of the national tournament on April 2-3. The draw for their next regional opponent will be determined Friday.
MNUFC2 did what three other MLS NEXT Pro league teams failed to do Tuesday: win. Portland Timbers 2, Austin FC II and Chattanooga FC were all upset on the opening night of the national tournament.
Adabayo-Smith scored in MNUFC2’s season opener Sunday and contributed a second assist in the MLS win over Orlando City on March 9.
“Jordan is an exciting talent,” said MNUFC2 coach Justin Ferguson. “That is what we want for him: the opportunity to score goals and ultimately get in positions where he can create chances and then finish them.”
Plenty of kids
Loons Chief soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad has brought a different approach to MNUFC2 this season: more academy kids in the mix and fewer player signings tailored specifically for the second team.
Four current academy kids were in the starting XI against Chicago House: Darius Randell, Justin Arias, Jonah Gasho, Tamer Ibsais. Four more academy prospects came off the bench: Julian Banks, Dom Mawing, Nathan Moua and Dom Vargas.
ETA for Reynoso?
Loons star midfielder Emanuel Reynoso, who is away from the team this week, has a scheduled appointment for his U.S. green card in Argentina, and pending the timing of that process, the aim is for him to return before the Philadelphia Union match on March 30.
With all immigration processes, the timing of the process falls outside the club’s and the player’s control.
MNUFC was working toward a green card with Reynoso in winter 2023, but that process was upended when Reynoso didn’t report to the team until May.
Reynoso’s pending green card will help the Loons open up one of eight international roster slots before what’s expected to be a busy summer transfer window. MNUFC has six international roster spots occupied by senior team players. Both rookies, Hugo Bacharach and Morris Duggan, would take up international spots if they are with the first team.
Briefly
Bacharach, the Loons’ first-round draft pick, was not involved in either team Wednesday. The Spaniard needs to obtain a work visa, the club said. … Six United players are away on international duty over the next week: Teemu Pukki and Robin Lod (Finland), Michael Boxall (New Zealand), Dayne St. Clair (Canada), Joseph Rosales (Honduras) and Alejandro Bran (Costa Rica). … Carlos Harvey, whom the Loons acquired from USL club Phoenix Rising for an approximate $200,000 transfer fee, made his first appearance for the club in the friendly.
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