At just 23, the Colombian center back appears set to immediately slide into the right side of the three center backs in Minnesota’s defense, a role the Loons haven’t really been able to fill since selling Kervin Arriaga to FK Partizan. Ramsay, who called Díaz a “ball-playing central defender,” sees him as Arriaga’s replacement. “[His] aggression and physical profile will really add to the team, and that’s something that we’ve missed since Arriaga left, so he’s more than capable of stepping into those shoes,” Ramsay said.
Kmeť, who’s been a rising star in Slovakia despite playing for a smallish club there, is bringing youth and depth to the team on the right wing. Minnesota is hoping the 24-year-old can provide an option on the right to rival what Joseph Rosales has provided at the left wingback position.
One thing to watch will be whether Kmeť, who is listed at 5-8 and 132 pounds, can cope with the physicality of MLS; most of the players listed in that lightweight range in MLS are shifty attacking midfielders, not defenders or wingbacks.
Markanich was the last of Minnesota’s moves in the transfer window, arriving in exchange for cap space in a trade with St. Louis. The left back made 15 starts in MLS this season, but after City fired head coach Bradley Carnell, he appeared to fall out of favor and didn’t seem to be in the club’s future plan.
According to Ramsay, the hidden benefit of having Markanich is the chance to potentially use left winger Joseph Rosales in other positions, as well. “We’ve made no secret about wanting to be flexible in how we use players,” said Ramsay. “You’ve got someone in that side in Rosales who can play as a left wing back, at left back, at left-sided 10, as a midfield player — and perhaps in bringing Anthony in, we have given ourselves a little bit more scope to use Joseph across the pitch.”
Shashoua was the only summer signing who arrived early enough to already have played for the Loons, with substitute appearances in two of Minnesota’s three games since the transfer window opened. A self-described “dynamic dribbler, entertainer, someone who’s always trying to make things happen,” Shashoua’s initial role will likely be as one of the Loons’ “finishers” — an attacker who comes on in the second half with energy and the determination to make something happen late in the game.
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Publish date : 2024-08-23 15:41:00
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