Minnesota United star Emanuel Reynoso reinstated, cleared for team activities

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Emanuel Reynoso is back. Well, sort of.

Minnesota United officials announced Tuesday morning that Reynoso has been cleared to play and return to full team activities. The Loons’ standout was suspended by Major League Soccer without pay after failing to report to preseason training.

Loons officials have said since before the season started that his absence was due to personal reasons, and coach Adrian Heath expected him back at any moment. He flew back to Minnesota earlier this month after several months back in Argentina.

Reynoso started 28 games for the Loons in 2021, recording five goals and 10 assists. He’s a two-time MLS All-Star.

Reynoso did not participate in team drills with Minnesota United on Tuesday. He’s not expected to play Wednesday night against the Houston Dynamo at Allianz Field, and is not expected to travel with the team when it heads to Portland on Saturday.

"Obviously we’re glad he’s been reinstated. Spoke to the players yesterday, I would think he would be free to certainly join in the beginning part of training Wednesday or Thursday next week," Loons coach Adrian Heath said Tuesday. "You can’t rush him because ultimately he’s going to break down. He’s had a long break, he’s working really hard, two or three sessions a day and he’s approached it in a great manner. We can use him, but any team in this league could use a fit and healthy Reynoso, so the sooner the better."

Reynoso could return to team training next week. The Loons are off to a slow start, at 3-5-3, and are winless in their last six MLS games.