After playing in five Leagues Cup matches last year, Minnesota United was bounced out of this year’s North American club tournament after only two group-stage matches.
With Necaxa’s 3-1 win at Seattle on Sunday, the Loons were eliminated from West Group 6; MNUFC beat Necaxa 1-0 on Tuesday, but lost 2-0 to the Sounders on July 26.
MNUFC would have advanced in any other scenario other than a Necaxa win by 1-to-3 goals. But with all three teams finishing with three points, goal differential undid Minnesota’s chances to move on to the Round of 32.
Also, Seattle’s Lumen Field, where the Loons have lost all 10 MLS matches since 2017, continues to put a spell on Minnesota United.
Instead, the Loons will get three weeks to train — a first uninterrupted period of work under first-year head coach Eric Ramsay, who joined the team midseason in March.
Minnesota United will resume MLS play against Seattle at Allianz Field on Aug. 24 and will be able to put all of its resources into making the MLS Cup Playoffs this fall.
MNUFC is expected to have at least two new players available when league play resumes — striker Kelvin Yeboah and center back Jefferson Diaz.
United looked likely to move on in Leagues Cup after 15 minutes of Sunday night’s game. Necaxa trailed 2-0 through 15 minutes, but the second Sounders goal was disallowed after a VAR review, and Necaxa scored two goals in the 24th and 44th minutes to take a 2-1 lead at the half.
Necaxa’s Kevin Rosero added a goal in the second minute of stoppage time.
Loons sign Slovakian right back Matus Kmet
Minnesota United has added another player in the summer transfer who should be entering his prime in a Loons jersey.
The Loons announced Monday the signing of Slovakian right wing back Matus Kmet to a contract through the 2026 season, with a club option for 2027.
New Loons Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad clearly wanted to make the roster more youthful in his first full opportunity to tinker with the team. And Kmet, 24, is the third addition under the age of 25 signed to a multi-year contract with MNUFC.
Kmet joins Designated Player striker Kelvin Yeboah, 24, and center back Jefferson Diaz, 23. The Loons also have signed 25-year-old attacker Samuel Shashoua to a deal through the end of the season.
Kmet joins from AS Trencin in Slovakia’s top division, where he had 27 assists and six goals in more than 6,300 minutes in 96 appearances across all competitions.
“I’m extremely excited to join Minnesota United, and am thrilled to play at a place with such a special gameday atmosphere and a dedicated fan base,” Kmet said in a statement. “I was drawn to the club by its commitment to success, which is demonstrated by the staff at all levels. Minnesota presents me with a chance to develop as an individual player and teammate. I’m looking forward to this new opportunity.”
Kmet will occupy an international roster spot with MNUFC and will join the team after he sorts out his immigration paperwork.
Kmet has played for Slovakia’s youth national teams and earned a preliminary call-up to the senior men’s team for the 2024 European Championship.
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Publish date : 2024-08-05 11:19:00
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