After suffering a season-ending injury in July 2023, Robin Lod has returned to the field with renewed vigor and determination. He has set a blistering pace with three goals, leading Minnesota United FC (MNUFC) and ranking among the top performers in the Major League Soccer (MLS). Lod’s hunger and dedication are evident in his impact on the team. His positive attitude and unwavering focus on contributing to the team’s success demonstrate his dedication to the sport.
Eric Ramsay, the new head coach for MNUFC, has been highly impressed with Lod’s abilities. Ramsay described Lod as a versatile player, adept at executing various playing styles and showcasing athleticism on both feet. Over the past few weeks, Lod has built up to 100% fitness, which has been showcased in the latter stages of games against Real Salt Lake, Houston Dynamo, and most recently, Charlotte FC. His recent contributions include assisting goals for Tani Oluwaseyi and Franco Fragapane against Real Salt Lake and Houston Dynamo, and setting up goals for Oluwaseyi and Hassani Dotson in the 3-0 win over Charlotte FC, where he also scored his own goal.
While Lod remains humble and indifferent to the spotlight, his performance has been remarkable. Ramsay highlighted his strong finish in recent games, particularly as the matches open up. This showcases his ability to seize opportunities and influence the outcome of games at a critical stage. However, Lod’s impressive start is not expected to trigger any significant roster changes before the MLS primary transfer window closes because MNUFC’s management aims to maintain salary flexibility and open roster spots for the more active summer transfer window.
In the meantime, MNUFC continues to evaluate its options with the upcoming summer transfer window, including the possibility of moving absentee DP Emanuel Reynoso to another club. MNUFC is considering pursuing the two DP/four U22 route, which aligns with their goal of creating a younger team for the future.
In other updates, Sang Bin Jeong experienced a muscle cramp during South Korea’s Asian Cup Under-23 win over Japan and will miss the Loons-Sporting Kansas City match. Carlos Harvey’s impressive performance with MNUFC2 has earned him potential consideration for an opportunity with the first team soon.
