Eric Ramsay will debut as Minnesota United coach when the Loons host defending Western Conference champions Los Angeles FC on Saturday in Saint Paul, Minn.
Ramsay arrives after a strong start by Minnesota (2-0-1, 7 points) under interim coach Cameron Knowles, who has been retained as an assistant on the incoming Englishman’s staff.
The Loons could also welcome playmaker Emanuel Reynoso back into the fold after he’s sat out so far with a knee issue.
Teemu Pukki leads the Loons with two goals, both coming in last weekend’s 3-2 win at Orlando City. And the Finland international will be a known commodity to Ramsay, a former assistant with Manchester United, given Pukki’s previous time at Norwich City.
Ramsay has been watching along the first few weeks of the season while waiting for the receipt of his visa.
“I’m walking into something that feels solid,” Ramsay said. “And I’m not doing it on a completely blank slate. I said to them yesterday: I know (the players) far better than they know me because I’ve had the luxury of being sat at home, watching the games, watching games from last year, watching the individuals on the scouting platforms that we have, getting a feel for the league.”
Los Angeles (1-1-1, 4 points) was held to a 0-0 draw at home against Sporting Kansas City in its last contest and has failed to score in back-to-back matches for the first time since a three-game blank stretch last September and October.
Denis Bouanga is still searching for his first league goal after he led the league with 20 in 2023, and playmaker Carlos Vela — the club’s first-ever signing — remains a free agent after his contract expired.
To add to all that, coach Steve Cherundolo admitted the challenge of preparing for the in-form Loons is tougher given the Ramsay dynamic.
“It’s a little more difficult this weekend due to the fact of the coach arriving,” Cherundolo said. “I do know obviously he’s been in contact with the group and coaching from afar, but it’s always different when someone is there. We’ll prepare as best as we can for that situation.”
–Field Level Media
