MLS: 3 new signings who have flourished thus far

2 of 3

PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 01: Luis Amarilla #9 of the Minnesota Unitedreacts after missing a shot on goal during the first half against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on March 01, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Minnesota won 3-1. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

2. Luis Amarilla

I’ll concede: I was very worried about Minnesota United entering the season. A team that is returning plenty of its ageing stars from last season but has not added to them in any real way and is reworking its attacking unit without truly splashing the cash like the rest of the league? That seemed like trouble to me.

More from MLS Multiplex

And yet, thus far, no team has been better than the Loons, and they have played two Western rivals, both on the road. Only Sporting KC sit above them in the Supporters’ Shield standings. No team has scored more than Minnesota through two games, while only three other teams share their 100% record. And at the heart of their early success has been new signing Luis Amarilla.

Amarilla scored 19 goals in 24 games during a breakout season last year in Ecuador’s top division and Adrian Heath was noticeably shocked that Minnesota were able to sign a player of his quality in the offseason. The early signs suggest he was right to be.

Amarilla is a brilliant finisher. He already has two goals to his name. Both are headers and both display his outrageous movement to find space in the penalty area. His drifting run for his goal against Portland was superb, feigning a dart to the near post before then steering back to the far post once more, opening up a yard of space to head home the finish. Amarilla is a proven, natural goalscorer, and he will score plenty this season if these first two weeks are anything to go by.

Home/MLS News