After joining Minnesota United late last summer, higher-priced signing Dominik Fitz barely played during the Loons’ final stretch of the regular season and in the club’s deeper run in the MLS Cup Playoffs. And the 2026 preseason is off to an even slow start for the Austrian attacking midfielder.
Fitz has been sidelined with an undisclosed “medical condition,” according to the club, and he will not participate in any of the three preseason games at the Coachella Valley Invitational. Instead of training with the first team in Indio, Calif., Fitz has remained in Minnesota to train with the club’s staff and with its developmental tournament, MNUFC2, according to head coach Cam Knowles on Tuesday.
“We are hopeful. It’s sounding good,” Knowles said. “It looks like he should be back in full training with us next week.”
That late-stage reintroduction to practice, however, will put Fitz’s involvement in MNUFC’s season opener in doubt. The Loons kickoff the new campaign Feb. 21 at Austin FC, with the home opener Feb. 28 vs. FC Cincinnati at Allianz Field.
Fitz joined MNUFC from Austria Wien in the Austrian Bundesliga in September for a guaranteed compensation of $853,000, per the MLS Players’ Association. But the attacker did not register a goal nor assist in seven total appearances with Minnesota in 2025.
Fitz did not ingratiate himself to former head coach Eric Ramsay, and Fitz did not play in any of the three first-round playoff matches against Seattle Sounders. He subbed on for seven minutes late in the 1-0 loss to San Diego FC in the Western Conference semifinals in November.
Right back?
The Loons have a glaring roster need at right back.
After Ramsay primarily used Bongi Hlongwane in that role last season, Knowles has returned the South African into attacking positions, leaving a void on the right side of defense.
In the 3-0 win over Sporting Kansas City last Saturday, the Loons moved center back Jefferson Diaz out wide to right back. “I thought he did well the other day,” Knowles said.
On Wednesday against D.C. United, Knowles said he planned to use center back/midfielder Carlos Harvey in that spot. Against Charlotte, the Loons will probably put backup right back DJ Taylor in that spot. Taylor subbed in for Diaz against Sporting last weekend.
“We are trying to see first of all what we got here and see if we need to make any changes in that or if we need to sort of change the system a little bit,” Knowles said.
Those three options can be serviceable, but won’t raise the club’s ceiling at the position over the long-term.
Briefly
Loons attacker Tomas Chancalay and defender Jefferson Diaz are currently away from the team sorting out their U.S. Green Cards. Their involvement vs. Charlotte is questionable. … MNUFC attackers James Rodriguez, Mauricio Gonzales and Marcus Caldeira are still pursuing work visas. … Ramsay remains winless in leading West Bromwich Albion after a 0-0 draw with Birmingham on Tuesday. Ramsay’s new side is 0-3-3 and sit only two points above the relegation zone in England’s second division. West Brom have managed only three goals and have a minus-9 goal differential.
Leave a Reply