Minnesota United: What does Angelo Rodriguez bring?

Earlier this week, Minnesota United signed Colombian striker Angelo Rodriguez from Deportes Tolima. So, what does the 29 year-old bring to the Loons?

With the signing of their club’s 2nd Designated Player in Angelo Rodriguez, the Loons attack is starting to look more formidable. Last season, Rodriguez helped Deportes Tolima win the Colombian Apertura title, scoring 6 goals in 18 matches during the campaign.

Rodriguez’s move to Tolima sparked the form of his career, as Rodgriguez tallied 28 goals in 64 league matches with club. At 29, Minnesota United are getting a striker in the prime of his career, who is also in the form of his career.

With Christian Ramirez really struggling, and Abu Danladi still dealing with injuries, the Loons need someone who can reliably put the ball in the back of the net, and they may have found their man in Rodriguez. The Colombian is a strong, physical forward with good pace and hold up play, which are the things that Christian Ramirez lacks the most.

Many times this season, Ramirez has been just a little too slow to get to a ball, or has had a promising run ruined after being muscled off the ball by a defender. If Rodriguez can excel in these areas, it could open up more space for the likes of Darwin Quintero, Miguel Ibarra, and others in the Minnesota United attack. If Rodriguez can also build up a nice rapport with fellow Colombian Darwin Quintero, the skill of the two Designated Players could really overwhelm MLS defenses.

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But what this mean for Minnesota’s other forwards? Well, this signing all but guarantees that either Christian Ramirez or Abu Danladi will be out the door before the start of next season.

With a reported $1.8M bid coming in for Ramirez from an unnamed Liga MX club, Minnesota United could either cash in on Ramirez while they can, or try to find a landing spot for Abu Danladi.

Ramirez is a more proven goal scorer, and Danladi has a long injury history, but Danladi also has the higher ceiling of the two players.

Danladi scored 8 goals in the 2017 campaign, en route to being the runner-up in MLS Rookie of the Year voting.

So the question becomes, does the Minnesota United brass keep the more proven Ramirez and hope that another club takes a chance on Danladi’s potential, or do they take a chance on Danladi’s potential themselves and cash in on Ramirez? It’s an interesting question for sure, and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds.

Next: Minnesota United: Romario Ibarra Can Be A Potential Season-Changer

So, how will Rodriguez fit into the side? Can he help a struggling Minnesota United attack? Only time will tell, but the signing certainly looks like a step in the right direction for the struggling Loons.