The Bible verse on Minnesota United forward Kelvin Yeboah’s hand tape for Saturday’s season opener was a fitting stanza given how poorly his 2025 campaign ended.
It referenced Matthew 7:7: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Yeboah finished last season scoreless in his final 14 matches, including a hamstring injury in September that sidelined him for three games and had him come off the bench for three more into the MLS Cup Playoffs.
But Yeboah started preseason healthy and kept knocking Saturday against Austin FC, scoring the game-tying goal in the 90th minute to help the Loons earn a 2-2 draw at Q2 Stadium.
“We were working hard toward that,” Yeboah said postgame. “This verse for me — my faith helps me a lot to keep on pushing.”
Yeboah had three total total shots in the opener, including a great chance just before halftime. He chested a pass down to his right foot and ripped a shot, but Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver made a great reaction save that left Yeboah in disbelief.
“It was crazy in a sense,” Yeboah said. “I didn’t expect him to get there. I see (Anthony Markanich) heading the ball, (I) chest it and (with my) right foot try to aim for the corner as close as possible. He stretches it and it was a really good save.”
Loons head coach Cameron Knowles as seen a motivated Yeboah since the start of preseason in January.
“He has been excellent,” Knowles said. “He came into the start of preseason from Day 1 highly motivated. He is a guy who has really high standards for himself and incredible professionalism — always wanting to do extra, always wanting to do more.”
Healthy scratch
Left-sided center back Nico Romero was left out of the 20-player roster for two reasons, Knowles said. He was beaten out for the starting position by Morris Duggan in preseason, and the coaching staff wanted to have a different variety of players available off the bench in Texas.
“Nico is a very good player that has tremendous upside, so to have two guys that can really start on any team in the league at that position is a real blessing,” Knowles said. “Now the difficult thing is when we looked at the balance of the squad and wanting to get an attacker on the … bench.”
Earned debut
Loons called up 19-year-old forward Troy Putt on a short-term loan and the New Zealand native made his MLS debut late in the second half.
Putt turned heads in preseason by winning the beep fitness test and maintaining that hard-charging commitment throughout the six-week preseason.
“His effort, his work rate has been exceptional,” Knowles said. “… He has trained with a relentless work ethic since. When we were looking at it in the balance of the squad and what we might need, he’s a good young player. He has real elite, top-end pace. He has elite ability to work and cover ground.”
In his debut, Putt was buzzing around and breaking up plays in his brief four-minute stint. He also was able to celebrate with Yeboah after the equalizer.
Briefly
FC Cincinnati, the Loons opponent in the home opener on Saturday, lost playmaking midfielder Evander to an apparent hamstring injury in the first half of the season opener. Cincinnati went on to beat Atlanta United 2-0 at home. … Former Loons striker Christian Ramirez was waived by L.A. Galaxy. The Loons could use a backup center forward behind Yeboah, but are not expected to pursue Ramirez, a source said Saturday.
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