When Hassani Dotson’s contract dispute with Minnesota United went public in January and the Loons midfielder injured his meniscus in March, it appeared the free-agent-to-be had played his last game for United.
That sentiment seemed like a foregone conclusion after MNUFC put him on its season-ending injury list in May.
But Dotson recovered from the knee repair and won an appeal via the MLS Players’ Union and the League to be reinstated. He has fully rejoined training sessions in Blaine and could make his return to games for Minnesota against Colorado Rapids on Saturday night.
“If you look at this group with fresh eyes entirely objectively, you wouldn’t look at him as being the one that’s been out for six months,” head coach Eric Ramsay said Friday. “We’ve had two difficult days this week, Tuesday (and) Wednesday, and he’s coped with them both really well. … At this stage where we are with the squad, we’re eager to look to someone with his level of seniority, experience in the league, and if he can get back to a certain level, then for sure he can push players that we’ve got here.”
Dotson, a seven-year veteran, said the initial fear from doctors was he had torn his right anterior cruciate ligament — just like he did in a season-ending injury in 2022. But he felt the recovery timeline for this injury, again in his right knee, put him in a position to still play yet this year, barring a big setback.
“When I was put on that (season-ending list), I was kind of caught off guard,” Dotson said Friday.
Minnesota United midfielder Hassani Dotson (31) gets a pat of the head from Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy (77) as he leaves the field following an injury in the first half of a MLS game at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Saturday, Mar. 22, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Dotson aimed to come back for the U.S. Open Cup semifinal last week but a hamstring injury delayed his return. He thanked the club’s support staff for helping him get back on the field.
The Washington native was asked if he plans to go into offseason as a free agent or resign with the only MLS club he has played for.
“I’m not sure,” Dotson said. “Honestly, I haven’t talked to (Loons Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad) since mid- or early March, so I’m just focused on my recovery and trying to get back to doing what I love the most — well, job-wise, (besides my) wife and kid.”
Players returning from long-term injury can be cast as a new signing for a club. Dotson tapped the brakes on that view.
“I like to kind of keep it humble, low key,” Dotson said. “I just want you know the team’s been doing really well this season. I’m not trying to step on any toes, but I’m here to try to compete and and help them, give something off the bench. And I’m just eager to try to show my teammates that I still can offer something. And then once I get back into the groove of things, I have no doubt in my mind that it’d be something like that.”
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