Emanuel Reynoso, Minnesota United’s most valuable player, might be going to trial over his alleged role in an assault of a teenager in his native Argentina in 2021, according to multiple media reports translated into English.
The Loons issued this statement to the Pioneer Press, via a club spokesperson Friday morning: “We are aware of the report and are looking into the validity of it.”
Reynoso, now 27, was accused of hitting a then-16-year-old male in his hometown of Cordoba in the early-morning hours of Dec. 4, 2021. He was detained for a week, posted bond and permitted to return to Minnesota for the start of preseason camp last January. He played in 30 MLS games in 2022.
According to a translation from La Voz, Reynoso faces multiple charges, including an aggravating factor of using the butt of a gun in the alleged fight. If found guilty, Reynoso could serve between one to five years in prison, the report said.
Reynoso’s representative Jorge Sanchez del Bianco said they were told of the resolution for prosecution, reviewed it and would appeal the decision before a judge, according to La Voz. The news outlet said Thursday they had five days to make that appeal.
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Reynoso, an MLS All-Star in 2021 and '22, was asked by Minnesota-based reporters in February if the ordeal had come to a conclusion.
“If I am here, it’s because, thanks to God, everything was able to be resolved,” Reynoso said then, via a Spanish translation from MNUFC public relations manager Gabriela Lozada. “My lawyer told me, thanks to God, things were resolved.”
MLS said in a statement in February that, at that time, “(Reynoso) was permitted to participate in team activities and competitions while it continues its review of Mr. Reynoso’s alleged conduct that served as the basis for the criminal proceedings brought in Cordoba, Argentina. MLS will consider further action should credible information be discovered or developments in the proceedings occur.”
MNUFC said in February the club went through “proper protocols” over the matter with MLS and other parties.
As of earlier this week, Reynoso had been expected to return to Minnesota approximately Jan. 6 when players are scheduled to report to the National Sports Center in Blaine for this year’s preseason camp. The official camp start date is projected to be Jan. 9, and Reynoso has been scheduled to go to MLS media events during that first week of camp.
After joining Minnesota in August 2020, Reynoso signed a new three-year contract in September that starts in 2023, with a club option for 2026. Reynoso is one of three Designated Player contracts for MNUFC that don’t count against the salary budget; his guaranteed compensation for 2022 was $1.06 million, according to the MLS Players’ Association.
Reynoso was one of six players throughout MLS with double-digit goals and assists last season. The creative attacking midfielder produced 10 goals and 11 assists and led the Loons to the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The Loons’ 2023 season opener is Feb. 25 at FC Dallas.
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