For Minnesota United, the performance of Franco Fragapane and Adrien Hunou have made an immediate impact. The two attacking players already proving that they have the potential to be difference makers for head coach Adrian Heath’s club.
Since making his Minnesota United debut last Saturday in a 1-1 result at FC Dallas, Fragapane has two goals and an assist in two matches. It is a dream start to an MLS career for the forward, who recently turned 28-years old earlier this month and came in with considerable hype.
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And in three matches since joining Minnesota United in late May, Hunou already has a goal, scored in the midweek 2-0 win over Austin FC. The French winger has been dynamic out wide and has brought a tremendous pressing work ethic in addition to his ability on the ball.
“There’s nothing like settling into a new club like scoring goals. has scored two in two and Adrien could have, conceivably, had four or five goals in the two or three games he’s been involved in,” Heath told reporters this week. “We’re pleased with their contribution, they’re going to get better. They’re still, the pair of them are still not 100 percent fit but they’re proving in training that they’re going to be really good acquisitions for us.”
The 2-0 win over Austin FC continues a good run of form for Minnesota United. After starting the season with four losses, Minnesota United hasn’t lost in their last five games and has 11 points from this stretch.
This weekend, they play at the Portland Timbers, a team that has had an up-and-down season in league play. The Timbers are in fifth place in the Western Conference under head coach Giovani Savarese, with 13 points on a 4-4-1 record.
“Yeah, I mean I think Gio is always, since he’s been there, has put together a group that’s organized,” Minnesota United midfielder Wil Trapp said.
“Like I said, can score multiple ways. They’ve been hampered by injuries, but I think they’re getting a little bit healthier and we’ll see. It’s a team that at home is historically pretty good.”