Minnesota United’s Hassani Dotson on proposal: ‘I was pretty nervous’

Minnesota United midfielder Hassani Dotson controls the ball against FC Dallas in the first half at Pizza Hut Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota United midfielder Hassani Dotson controls the ball against FC Dallas in the first half at Pizza Hut Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite the result on the scoreboard showing a draw for Minnesota United, this past weekend was an absolute win for ‘Loons’ midfielder Hassani Dotson.

That’s because the Minnesota United star midfielder secured his bride with a postgame proposal on the field at Allianz Arena.

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Dotson started and went the full 90 minutes in Minnesota United’s 2-2 home draw with the San Jose Earthquakes this past weekend. But it was his post-match proposal that created all the stir on social media.

It all started, the Minnesota United central midfielder said, with a bit of intrigue.

“Actually, I told her I wanted to take a picture by the field with one of our photographers like we did in my rookie season,” Dotson told reporters this week about the proposal.

“We’ll go to dinner and I helped pick out the outfit so she’d be ready. She was completely surprised, she was shaking when we got back in the tunnel still. It was really, really special.”

The proposal made headlines including its own video on the league website. Dotson is one of the top young midfielders in MLS, having featured and starred for the United States U23 national team earlier this year during their failed bid to qualify for the Olympics.

So far this season in 11 games played (10) starts, Hassani Dotson has a goal and an assist for Minnesota United. The 23-year old midfielder is now in his third season in MLS with 53 total appearances (37 starts) where he has six goals and two assists.

The midfielder, who has played in some big matches over the years including the Western Conference Final last year, admits to some nerves before lining up for the biggest shot of his life.

“I was pretty nervous because some of my plan didn’t go how it was supposed to but very excited with the moment,” Dotson said. “Got the video and my family, her family were very excited.”

Minnesota United, who have 15 points from their last seven matches, plays at a strong Colorado Rapids side midweek.

Dotson is the latest MLS star to sign up for a long-term deal away from playing field. Last month, New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Ryan Meara got engaged to his longtime girlfriend as well.

Meara’s engagement was a bit more lowkey and out of the public eye than Dotson’s effort but he still earned congratulations via the Red Bulls social media account.

Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex‘ on Twitter @KristianRDyer