Niche Cache & some interesting stuff on Boxy. No surprises he's skipping the Nations Cup, sounds like a few dramas happening at Minny!
Mr Consistent over here. Michael Boxall has played every minute of every MLS game for Minnesota United so far. He’s one of 17 remaining everpresent players in 2024 (teams have played between 14-17 games) and ten of those are goalkeepers. As he nears his 36th birthday, Boxy is performing as well as he ever has. He’s the oldest outfielder on that ever-present list, beating Maya Yoshida by six days, and second oldest overall thanks to some bloke called Hugo Lloris who’s in goal for LAFC these days.
The latest of those games was a 3-1 win against Sporting Kansas City. Goals were scored by Tani Oluwaseyi (33’), Robin Lod (67’), and Kervin Arriaga (83’) before SKC pulled back a late consolation to spoil the clean sheet. Great way for the Loons to rebound after a 2-0 loss against LAFC last time out. The Loons sit third in the Western Conference but would go first if they win their games in hand.
Boxall had a typically impressive performance against SKC. You could tell he was up for the challenge when he was flagged offside in the fifth minute – you don’t see that very often from centre-backs, especially so early in the game. He also had an attacking influence on their first goal. The back three is giving Boxy more opportunity to step into the midfield and that’s what he did before shifting the ball to the right side leading to Oluwaseyi’s headed goal. Happy to see it. Very happy to see it.
MNUFC.com: “The play of Michael Boxall was all-around superb tonight, with the captain making enterprising runs into the midfield with authority and playing the role of creator on top of his usual defensive solidity.”
The other reason this was an important win is it was their first game since selling star player Emanuel Reynoso... who has been spectacular for them on the pitch but away from it his erratic behaviour has been an annoying distraction. Most recently he was filmed waving a bag full of money besides a gun-toting buddy back in Cordoba. Not his first incident either. He’s gone AWOL multiple times during his time with Minnesota. He served 10-days in prison for pistol-whipping a teenager in 2021. Didn’t turn up to his Green Card appointment earlier this year.
Eventually it was all too much so they’ve offloaded him to Club Tijuana in Mexico where he’s sure to be on his best behaviour. Like a good captain, Michael Boxall has been a bit of a spokesperson for the Minnesota United team during these dramas, making it pretty clear that the Loons were over having to deal with the silliness.
Minnesota United CB Michael Boxall in an excellent interview on @Extratime, on Emanuel Reynoso:
“When he’s in the building, on the training pitch on the field with you, in person, he’s the nicest guy. I don’t know. But something happens when he touches down in Cordoba. …Yeah.” pic.twitter.com/jNnRMKtEJc
Michael Boxall: “I think we’ve all kind of moved on. I don’t even know if anyone actually knows what the situation is. I think he’s made decisions that kind of shows everyone around here that he doesn’t care too much about the club.”
Can only presume it's an injury. He is Mr Durable. Played 32 games, each of the last 2 seasons. Both seasons it was 32 starts, in 34 game MLS regular seasons. He would have missed more games away with the AWs than injury.
Boxall picked up an ankle injury yesterday in the first half, coming off at HT. Minny very under strength. Lots of injuries plus 4 players away at Copa America.
There always seems lots of wide open space in MLS games. Lots of fast counterattacking, can see why Salt Lake have identified Ben Old as a potential signing.
The bad run of form continues for Minny. They were 2-0 up only to lose 3-2. They get over run by a wave of Timbers attacks in the 2nd half. Definitely one of the stadiums with the best atmosphere in the MLS, Providence Park.
Full game Boxall snr. Highlights a brief glimpse of one of more nasty looking injuries you will see. Fractured cheekbone by the looks. Phil Neville the Portland gaffer.
Shocking defending from Minny continues. Manager needs reinforcement in the defence or better midfielders to support them.
Going to be in the Oregan coast in the next few weeks. Wanted to go to Portland but family not keen because crime levels have spiked. Super disappointed. Timber crowd is awesome
Shocking defending from Minny continues. Manager needs reinforcement in the defence or better midfielders to support them.
Going to be in the Oregan coast in the next few weeks. Wanted to go to Portland but family not keen because crime levels have spiked. Super disappointed. Timber crowd is awesome
Shocking defending from Minny continues. Manager needs reinforcement in the defence or better midfielders to support them.
Going to be in the Oregan coast in the next few weeks. Wanted to go to Portland but family not keen because crime levels have spiked. Super disappointed. Timber crowd is awesome
Yes looks like a great atmosphere at Portland games, the fans really seemed to bring the Timbers home in this one. I always get told it's a real hipster city, craft beer brewing capital or some such.
Minnesota are in trouble. Lost 4 in a row. No wins in 5 games. Pity because they started the season so well. Too many first choice players injured or at the Copa America, plus their brilliant but nutty striker Emanuel Reynoso has been let go.
So Michael Boxall will potentially play 5 games in 18 days for Minnesota Utd, then fly to Paris, then play another 3 games in the space of a week https://t.co/zFO0ULYVJ8
Minny play again Sunday our time (21st), their last MLS before the league breaks for a month for the Leagues Cup - combined MLS & Mexico's Liga MX comp.
Not sure the MLS clubs take the Leagues Cup that seriously, so seems Minnesota may not have done us that big a favour by releasing Boxy for the Olympics.
Olywhites first game verus Guinea is 24th July (next Wednesday). So a true favour from Minny would be releasing him after today's game, especially since his 36 yr old legs have had a heavy workload of late in the American heat, and then he'll have 3 games in toasty France in 6 days.
Plus all the travel. He only played in very sweaty Houston 4 days ago. Flight back to Minny, could be 2 more MLS home games in 3 days, then fly France for yeah 3 games between 24th-30th July. That's tough
