Minnesota United need Adrian Hunou to produce some goals quickly
The signing of a month ago by Minnesota United of Adrien Hunou is quite the coup. At the time, the thought was that Hunou could help the club build on last year’s playoff run that ended a game short of MLS Cup.
But right now, in the immediate, the hope is that Hunou can help Minnesota United to first start looking like a playoff team before even thinking about MLS Cup.
Minnesota United has struggled this year, losing their first four games of the season before winning their last two games – these two wins were then followed with a break last weekend. Now with the addition of Hunou and Argentine winger Franco Fragapane this week, Minnesota United has a talented attack.
All it is has to do is come together. That’s all. Relatively simple.
Thankfully, Hunou sounds up to the task.
“I like to score because it’s my job,” Hunou said following his first training session with the team on Friday.
“Not only score but I like combination with other players that can play with me. It’s important to have the ball, to keep the ball and to make the game.”
The 27-year old Hunou, who has represented France from the U17 national team up to the U20 level, had four goals in 20 matches with Rennes in League 1 this season.
If Minnesota United can get Adrian Hunou rolling and scoring, there’s no reason they can’t be a top team in the Western Conference. If he’s an elite scorer in MLS, this is a dangerous team that should challenge for the Supporters Shield despite a tough start to the season.
He will be asked to help a Minnesota United side that has just five goals scored this season, the second fewest in the league. The addition of Fragapane, who brings some creativity and width to Minnesota United, is a key part of what head coach Adrian Heath is hoping to add to his club.
Heath needs some goals to get his team back in a spot where they can think about making another deep playoff run. For now, his new additions are being counted on to make this team a bit more competitive.
Minnesota United travels to play Real Salt Lake this weekend.
“They’ve only been joining in with the guys. We’ve had them here for about a week and have joined up last two or three days,” Heath said.
“Obviously, the quality is there for all to see. Both at different stages because I don’t think Adrien has played in a full game for seven to eight weeks, so he’s obviously a little bit behind but Franco has looked really sharp because he’s been playing every four days for about two or three months. He’s looked really sharp. But they will both be involved at the weekend and it’s been a long, drawn-out, protracted negotiation but we’re glad we’ve got them both here.”
Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex’ on Twitter @KristianRDyer