Minnesota United’s Strikers Shine as Season Progresses

ST. PAUL, Minn. – In an unexpected twist this season, Minnesota United FC‘s head coach Eric Ramsay is successfully implementing a two-striker formation, propelling the team’s offensive performance.

After joining the Loons last summer, Italian-Ghanaian striker Kelvin Yeboah made a strong start in MLS. Now, paired with Canadian forward Tani Oluwaseyi, both players have scored four goals each throughout the first six games of the season. This collaboration is crucial for the team’s upcoming match against New York City FC.

“In the beginning, for sure, you are thinking, ‘Why change?’” Yeboah reflected on the transition. “And it’s a bit difficult to adapt to new changes, but eventually, it all worked. We trusted Ramsay from Day 1, and we keep trusting him until now.”

Ramsay expressed optimism about the duo’s potential, stating, “There’s enough evidence over six games to suggest that we can do really, really well,” noting that the two strikers add a reliable threat to defenses. Despite their achievements, Ramsay acknowledged some missed opportunities in earlier games against Sporting Kansas City and the LA Galaxy.

Ramsay continued, “We’re quite happy with the attention we’re getting, but feel like that’s self-inflicted; if we had won one of the two games, we’d have been in a more eye-catching position.”

In their most recent outing, the Loons took down Real Salt Lake 2-1, with Oluwaseyi netting both goals, reinforcing their growing chemistry. As the pair continues to train together, Yeboah noted the importance of their competitive spirit: “As strikers, you’ve always got the edge to compare. … It’s better to compete with yourself.”

Each striker has demonstrated unique strengths, with Yeboah’s four goals coming primarily from his right foot and Oluwaseyi scoring three with his left. This offensive depth has positioned both players among the top five in MLS, along with other notable scorers.

The team’s focus on maintaining close proximity between the strikers during games was emphasized by Ramsay, who instructed his players to capitalize on each other’s movements. He mentioned their shared goal of improving their connection on the field.

Oluwaseyi highlighted his mental approach to scoring, referencing the popular series “Ted Lasso” and the advice to “just be a goldfish,” meaning to quickly forget missed chances and keep moving forward. This mindset proved beneficial as he looks to rebound from earlier near misses against Real Salt Lake.

“I think we are still considered a surprise, Minnesota United itself,” Yeboah expressed about the impact of their performances thus far. “The results speak for themselves.”

As preparations continue for the upcoming match against NYCFC, the Loons face challenges with injuries among midfield players. New midfielder Hoyeon Jung is in the process of acclimating to the league, and Ramsay acknowledged the finer points of the adaptation process while being optimistic about Jung’s potential contribution.

The match is set for Sunday at Yankee Stadium, where Minnesota United hopes to extend their unbeaten streak to six matches. Given the team’s upward trajectory, fans should expect an engaging contest.