Minnesota United on Thursday traded promising striker Mason Toye to Montreal two weeks before his 22nd birthday – just days after acquiring the fifth-highest scorer in MLS history, Kei Kamara, 36 years old
This was the second time in 10 months that the Loons have said goodbye to a young goalscorer they had highly drafted.It’s also another move that indicates a team that added talented, aged Emanuel Reynoso 24-year-old and 31-year-old defender Bakaye Dibassy, in this transfer window, is firmly aiming to win now
Last November, they left 2017 No 1 overall pick Abu Danladi available in the expansion draft, and Nashville SC made the injury-prone forward the second player selected in a two-team draft
On Thursday, they traded the seventh overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft to Montreal after Toye read the writing on the wall and asked a team for a trade where he could be the starting forward
They are also in talks with European and South American clubs to loan 20-year-old Uruguayan designate Thomas Chacon to play regularly
Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath said his side saw ‘an opportunity’ when Colorado bought Kamara and grabbed her, hoping to bring him back after his contract expired at the end of the season
“When everyone is fit and healthy this team can compete with anyone,” said Heath “What’s unfortunate lately is that it hasn’t been the case We had a series of horrible injuries that didn’t help us But I know that once everyone is fit and healthy we think we can win «
Heath said his team proved it at the MLS is Back midsummer tournament, where they reached the semi-finals before losing to Orlando City The Loons used last winter to boost their depth, adding Jacori Hayes, Marlon Hairston, Raheem Edwards and young Paraguayan forward Luis Amarilla
They used the current transfer window that opened in mid August to land Reynoso after a long court and Dibassy and still have money and room to make more moves before the window ends October 29
Nonetheless, the Loons are 2-5-2 since MLS relaunched their regular season after their tournament and are sixth in the Western Conference, two points away from missing the Extended Playoffs this season but just two. also third place
« We are more than a game when we get our best 11 on the pitch, » said Heath « The faster we get it, the better »
But the Loons have been playing lately with what Heath has called a « half-team » who misses twice injured MLS Defender of the Year Ike Opara, captain Ozzie Alonso, veteran Ethan Finlay, the energetic Kevin Molino and not one but two goalkeepers This is both substitute Gregory Ranjitsingh and starter Tyler Miller, who has had hip surgery and is sidelined for the season
Molino could return from a hamstring injury on Saturday against FC Cincinnati Heath called Alonso and Finlay targeted for next Saturday’s game against FC Dallas Heath said there had been no change – « as you were » – in Opara status, but has repeatedly stated that Opara will play this season again even though he has been out with an injury or an « undisclosed » condition since late June
Heath said his staff continued Thursday’s trade for a week, both to fulfill Toye’s wishes for a fresh start and for what he called “good value for money.” Loons received a total of $ 600,000 in general allowance, a 2021 second-round pick and a percentage of the transfer fee if / when Montreal sells the rights to Toye
He knows it’s a bet, send Toye to play for Thierry Henry, one of the sport’s greatest scorers and one of Toye’s idols
« This is not a decision with Mason that we took lightly, » said Heath « I am fully aware of what will come to me if in a year or two Mason thrives and scores goals You get paid to make decisions I hope you do more good than bad, and we all know the consequences if you do too much harm «
Mason Toye, Minnesota United FC, Montreal Impact, MLS, Luis Amarilla
World news – CA – Minnesota United FC sends signals that the goal is to win now
