Minnesota United: Christian Ramirez concern isn’t too early
By Josh Sippie
Minnesota United are hot out of the boxes, but Christian Ramirez is not. It’s early in the MLS season, but not too early to be concerned.
For awhile last season, Christian Ramirez was one of the sole bright spots on an otherwise paltry Minnesota United squad. Plagued by an atrocious defense, it fell to the likes of Ramirez to give the fans something to cheer about, and he achieved that and more, working his way up into USMNT consideration, which he has now reached.
This season, Minnesota decided to open up the MLS season with Ramirez, who, despite his superb form early last year, had fallen out of it a bit later in the season, thanks in part to finishing the season with a muscle injury.
Even on returning from that injury, Ramirez said that he never reached 100%. That much should have been obvious, though.
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This year, the Loons are doing quite well for themselves, winning two of their first three to land near the top of the Western Conference. Perhaps more importantly, they have ten other teams in MLS that have given up more or the same number of goals (5). Meaning that, if nothing else, their defense may well have improved after early returns this year.
They are also among the league leaders in goals scored. Only that has come completely removed from Christian Ramirez.
The opening match benching was written off as a need for speed, and besides, Ramirez came on in the 29th minute anyway. But he then rolled his ankle and noted that it was hard to play through. Yet he still made the following start against Orlando SC, where he was held scoreless, and again against Chicago, where he was held scoreless.
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Christian Ramirez did nab one assist in the opener, but other than that, has been a non-factor. Not to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but he’s been a non-factor since that ankle injury in the opening week.
Ramirez is not a trigger happy forward. He averaged a modest two shots per appearance last season and that equated to 14 goals. This year, he has managed just one shot in 215 minutes of play. He has created just one chance as well, the chance that became an assist.
It’s only week three, so I’m not here to hit the panic button, but I am here to raise a few questions and perhaps point to some optimism. Ramirez may be suffering from the same ankle injury that plagued him against San Jose. It’s hard to imagine another sensible explanation how he has managed so little in 215 minutes.
Especially seeing as how Kevin Molino and Ethan Finlay have been superb, and they play literally right behind him and would sensibly figure to get Ramirez involved.
What’s the good news? That’s easy. Minnesota United are doing pretty well for themselves, scrapping together some tough wins. And they are doing it all without Christian Ramirez, who may or may not be injured.
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So while I do believe it is not too early for concern, most of that concern stems from whether or not he is fully healthy. Hopefully, that’s the worst the situation could be right now.