ST. PAUL 鈥� When Emanuel Reynoso got hot at the end of the 2020 season, Minnesota United went on a roll to the Western Conference final.
Reynoso is heating up again, and the Argentine star has propelled the Loons to consecutive wins for the first time since mid-April.
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Reynoso scored two goals in MNUFC鈥檚 3-2 win over Real Salt Lake on Sunday night at Allianz Field. He also scored a brace in a 3-2 win over L.A. Galaxy on Wednesday.
Reynoso banged in a close-range shot in the ninth minute. He drew a penalty kick in first-half stoppage time, and his shot was saved from the spot by Zac MacMath, but he tapped-in the rebound for a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break.
But Reynoso鈥檚 best bit of brilliance was his assist to Luis Amarilla in the 61st minute. Reynoso dropped into midfield, collected the ball, turned and threaded a pristine pass to a on-running Amarilla. It sprang a breakaway and Amarilla chilled MacMath.
It鈥檚 all reminiscent of two years ago when Reynoso had 10 assists and two goals in the final six games of the 2020 regular season and three MLS Cup Playoff games.
The Loons needed all three as RSL clawed back two goals after the 70 minutes. Minnesota has allowed eight goals after the 50th minute in the last four games.
Reynoso was voted into the 2021 MLS All-Star Game but didn鈥檛 play in the showcase in Los Angeles due to injuries. His hot play is making his likely inclusion in the St. Paul showcase in August more warranted.
Minnesota improved to 7-8-3 and Salt Lake fell to 8-5-5.
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Briefly
Without Kervin Arriaga (ankle) and Joseph Rosales (suspension), Robin Lod made his first start as central midfielder. The Finnish international usually plays right wing or striker for Minnesota but goes central for the Finland national team and subbed in there for MNUFC in late May. 鈥� Announced attendance was 19,647. 鈥� The Loons next opponent, Vancouver Whitecaps, pulled off a stunning 1-0 home win over LAFC on Saturday. LAFC was without star Carlos Vela (leg), but came into the game with an MLS-high 36 points. Minnesota will go to British Columbia for a rare Friday night match. 鈥� MNUFC2 throttled Vancouver Whitecaps 2 with a 2-0 win in Blaine on Saturday. Loons outshot Vancouver 23-4 and 12-1 on target. Aziel Jackson scored one goal, giving him 10 goal contributions (six scored, four assisted) this season.
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