Adrian Heath addresses Emanuel Reynoso's injury & MLS Playoff hopes

Minnesota United lost 3-0 to FC Dallas on Saturday at Allianz Field as goals from Jesus Ferreira, Alan Velasco and Michael Boxall pushed the Loons back to fifth place on the Western Conference table.

But head coach Adrian Heath has other things to worry about after star figure Emanuel Reynoso suffered an ankle injury in the 24th minute of the match. The number ten played through the first half with evident pain, before eventually being forced off the field in the 62nd minute.

Heath failed to provide specific details, but maintains Minnesota United hopes for the best with Reynoso.

"He went over on his ankle again, which is not ideal because it’s been lingering for a few weeks now," Heath said postgame. 

"The one thing that we don’t like doing is Rey playing on a Saturday and not really doing an awful lot [during the week] and then being available for the following week. He’s better when he’s training hard and working with the group. We’ll see how he is tomorrow but it’s a little bit swollen again today. We will err on the side of caution because we need him fit and healthy.”

The midfielder has become an integral part of the team’s 2022 success, recording ten goals and nine assists in 26 appearances. With only five games left in the regular season, the Loons cannot afford to lose Reynoso. 

Despite the recent circumstances, Heath remains confident the team can qualify for the MLS playoffs. But the pressure is on, after a second consecutive 3-0 loss and losing starting center back Bakaye Dibassy to a season-ending injury last week.

“I’ll still say the same: I still think six, maybe seven points would be enough [to make the playoffs]. The last two games has not helped that situation. It puts more pressure on, it gives the teams below us a little bit of a lifeline. I said before the season started, this West is going to be tougher now. I think it’ll go to the wire and nothing has changed,” Heath said.

“I don’t think we played bad enough today. We could have taken something out of this game. We have to eradicate these moments of madness that we’re giving teams too many opportunities.”

The Loons return to action on Saturday when facing the Portland Timbers at Providence Park.