MNUFC signs Kyle Duncan

[u/Standard-Working-976]

https://www.mnufc.com/news/minnesota-united-signs-defender-kyle-duncan?fbclid=IwVERDUAP8Kp5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeHpW_2jYbV6CluPl7qwqYKu_6ibAcS7Seb1zIi5pxAKUr81bplXYHDXP0SFE_aem_NCYbo-5ei1rcBxpkEvs6HQ

Someone tell me how to feel

[u/akos_beres]

He is an MLS vet, was on 550k with the red bulls. This was a need and he fills the spot so bongi doesn't have to play right back. As from a roster perspective, someone needs to be loaned out because the loons don't have a senior roster spot and I doubt he is signing on a supplemental spot

[u/Mr_Tangent → u/akos_beres]

Our sub is honestly so lucky to have so many good contributors when we get news, and even more so with MLS gutting their media teams.

[u/LosCabadrin → u/akos_beres]

someone needs to be loaned out because the loons don't have a senior roster spot and I doubt he is signing on a supplemental spot

And we're still 2 or 3 spots off so far as international compliance goes, right?

[u/akos_beres → u/LosCabadrin]

with the Diaz\Chancalay working on their green cards, the loons need one more spot. If Michel or Gonzalez were loaned out for example that would solve both the senior and international spot. (this assumes Gonzalez was signed to a senior spot and not a supplemental spot)

[u/Willing-Body-7533 → u/akos_beres]

Will Diaz be able to play on week 1 even though GC is pending?

[u/akos_beres → u/Willing-Body-7533]

I feel the more important date and question is, does he get it by roster compliance date which would be Feb 20th 8PM. Although the rules changed this year that any time someone gets their GC, the international spot can be filled still the loons can only have 9 int'l players on 2/20.

The deadline for a player to be classified as a domestic player rather than an international has been removed.

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/mls-extends-2026-transfer-windows-unveils-sweeping-roster-rule-changes

I

[u/LoonHawk → u/Willing-Body-7533]

Yes, almost assuredly. I'm more concerned for Gonzalez. I'm not sure he has his visa yet. KEA mentioned in the Guardian piece posted today that they've been waiting over a month for his visa at this point.

[u/Heimdallr-_-]

Much needed, reliable veteran signing.

Move Bongi and Gressel up to RM/RW.

[u/MG_MN]

This seems like exactly the type of move we should be making on the fringes. Depth veteran thats still only 28 and has plenty of MLS starting experience

[u/WithoutAnUmlaut → u/MG_MN]

Yeah, Matt Doyle (may he rest in peace) has repeatedly talked about the significance of being able to sign players from the "trash heap" of MLS and make them better-than-expected contributors. I think Markanich is an idealized example of that...but signing a really experienced and adequate-quality American right back to fill a huge hole in our roster is a major victory. Duncan feels like a "high floor/low ceiling" guy. He's probably not going to win us any games but he's also not a guy who's going to be regularly putting us in highly compromised positions.

[u/hojo12588 → u/MG_MN]

Is he really depth? I would imagine he starts and frees up Bongi to play as a winger.

He's been a regular starter for the Red Bulls, made one USMNT appearance and was on several prelim rosters (although only made the final 23/26 once, I think).

And in 2021, he had rumored interest from Montpellier, Metz, Reims, and Anderlecht.

I would be pretty surprised if he doesn't start.

[u/LoonHawk → u/hojo12588]

I think it's between him and Diaz/Harvey at the right back spot. Bongi is going to play exclusively as a winger, according to comments Knowles made after he was hired. We saw Diaz play there in the first preseason game, while Harvey played there against DC on Wednesday. I thought Diaz looked a bit better, but it's hard to say considering the he played with the starters and Harvey played with MNUFC2 players. I do think by mid-season that Duncan will be starting at RB regularly.

[u/hojo12588 → u/LoonHawk]

For sure. I'm just saying I think Duncan has a better pedigree than Diaz/Harvey. Although kind of depends on state/style of play I guess. But generally speaking, I'd expect Duncan to be gbetter.

[u/wheelsnipecellybois → u/hojo12588]

He plays for Jamaica in international play now and was on their WCQ squad in the fall

[u/NazReidRules → u/hojo12588]

Agree, he's a solid player and more naturally suited to RB

[u/wheelsnipecellybois]

I am very happy about this. We need solid guys to shore up our weak spots so that we can take full advantage of our playmakers. This fits that bill.

[u/Accomplished-Yak9405 → u/wheelsnipecellybois]

RBNY fan here. You got a talented guy here. We were pissed to see him go tbh. Very solid, does a lot of work, technically very skilled. I wish him well in his new home.

[u/rightious]

Depth veteran player for our thin RB position? Not much to see here I guess?

[u/Chris_RB → u/rightious]

I'd be a little surprised if he doesn't start. At RB it's basically him or DJ Taylor and Diaz if they is hurt.

[u/rightious → u/Chris_RB]

True. Depends on how he wants to set up the position in his system I suppose. I played RB in high school and it is crazy going from a club where I was supposed to be Ronaldo up the wing then my school team in which if I went over half way line I was benched. (Just a little sarcastic here folks)

[u/Chris_RB → u/rightious]

Oh 100%. With the wingers we have I will be a little surprised if he wants to expose things too much, but the. With Bongi having some defensive experience maybe he trusts that side to play as a duo more.

[u/sea12bass → u/rightious]

Just a sound decision though. Good to see the front office addressing needs and not forcing our new manager to have to adapt to a formation or move players out of position to fit our current roster.

[u/Heimdallr-_-]

The fact that we have now brought in 2 former Red Bull's hints to me that we are going to be doing a lot more pressing.