Bad times continue in Minnesota (last in the West), with a 4th consecutive loss. This time at 3-2 at Colorado Rapids (5th in the West). MU were 2-0 up until 56th min.
It is good money. I like Boxall but if he came back to the nix, I would be happy but just consider him as a good a league signing. Obviously as long as he can keep on getting that coin, he won’t be coming back any time soon
Something interesting from the MLS I note, is that due to USA-Canada border restrictions, 3 Canadian MLS teams are currently based in the US.
Vancouver is the third Canadian club to announce a temporary home in the U.S. (Utah) for the start of the 2021 season. Toronto FC will train in Orlando and play home games in Orlando and Tampa, while CF Montreal will train in Fort Lauderdale and play home games at Inter Miami CF Stadium.
Wish he had moved to South Africa earlier in his career. He has all the attributes to making it in Europe but age. Tall, Strong, comfortable on the ball, great passing range and isn't injury prone. No accident he is doing well, his put in a lot of hard work. Happy for him.
"Now for a hearty shout out to Minnesota United who did not have to release Michael Boxall for the Olympics as an overage player but they did so anyway and we love ‘em for that. He’ll miss at least two games, possibly as many as seven (ambitious but who knows) while he’s in Tokyo. Considering he hasn’t missed a minute all season that’s a tricky one for the Loons to overcome.
Adrian Heath, MNUFC coach: “Obviously, it's a big decision for us because he's such an integral part of what we do. We've still got a bit of stuff to sort out because the least amount of games he misses, the better. In one way, I'm pleased for him. In another, I'm disappointed for us because he's the cornerstone of our back four here. We could say no, but when you speak to the kid, I get it. Maybe the World Cup is something that's not going to happen for him. This is the next thing for him, so we reluctantly agreed. We're reluctant to let him go, but we hope he's back sooner rather than later.”
Boxy: “I don't need to tell anyone that I don't like to miss games at all, but we've got a full squad for a reason. These are the types of tournament that when you look back at your career, you can't believe you were there. Anytime you can play these big international tournaments, it's a massive honour. Growing up, ever since I was 5 or 6 years old, whenever the Olympics are on, everything stops. Anytime you get to be a part of it, it has always been something special.”
In starting lineup as Minnesota are level with San Jose 1-1 at HT.
Could be awhile yet before Boxall gets to Tokyo. As above MU coach sounded a pretty reluctant to let him go. MU play again on the 8th July (then a gap until 19th). So Boxall likely won't get to Japan until about 9th-10th July.
Think this is one reason why Hay picked 4 CBs in his 18 man squad. Will at least have Stanger & Pijnaker as a combination for early training sessions/warm up games.
Gets a mention 13.30 into this press conference. Problem high up around the groin area. Gets an MRI tomorrow. That doesn't sound so great, but guess the MRI will reveal all.
Sounds like Boxall won't be going to Japan now, if Minnesota have their way.
https://www.mnufc.com/news/postgame-quotes-colvmin-x9461 On Michael Boxall and his prospects of going to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games …“He’s got a problem at this minute in time and he probably won’t be going I would think.”
Been awhile since there has been any club verus country clash, for a Kiwi male footballer. From this week's Flying Kiwis.
"Bit rude of MU head coach Adrian Heath there but you’ll recall from a Flying Kiwis just two weeks ago that Heathy wasn’t exactly chuffed with the idea of Boxall leaving for the Olympics in the first place so can’t be too surprised by that reaction. He wants Boxall to stay.
Thing is, the OlyWhites cannot call up a replacement at this point so if Boxall can be available for any point of the tournament then he might as well go. Right? Might be some politics to overcome there because there isn’t actually a FIFA-binding release for men’s Olympic players – the clubs have to agree to let their dudes participate (since it’s technically a youth tournament). Boxall’s injury changes the situation there. As for the damage done... we’re still waiting for that. The MRI they said he was having a week ago hasn’t been mentioned again and Heath’s comments so far are the only update we’ve had. NZ Football are merely “monitoring the situation”. The silence on all counts is suspicious.
@JerryZgoda 7 Jul That’s #MNUFC’s Michael Boxall jogging at end of team training today in which he didn’t participate because of groin injury sustained Saturday vs San Jose. Status for tomorrow’s game in Colorado & Olympic duty with New Zealand uncertain
As for the Loons themselves, they lost 2-0 to Colorado Rapids with Boxall out injured. Ramon Abila copped a late red card just to rub it in. Ends a seven game unbeaten streak since they last lost to Colorado Rapids.
Up Next: Monday at 6am, Minny vs Seattle Sounders... but if Boxall plays that then we’ve been shafted (NZT)"
CONCACAF is having it's international Gold Cup tourney over the next few weeks, so it's not like MLS players elsewhere ain't missing MLS games.
MU have also had a great uninterrupted run with Boxall, as the AWs have barely played since he's been there. But he's obviously considered a very important cog in their team now.
Stops Seattle's 13 game unbeaten start to the season too. Good result. Any word on the extent of his injury?
This from Flying Kiwis. Written on July 15th.
"It’s all very murky. And, frankly, a little disingenuous from Minnesota United. They’d agreed to release him, he was named in the squad, now they’re saying they’re not gonna? This from Heath in a Star Tribune article from yesterday - July 14th (which led with Coach Heath cancelling a weekend off because his team didn’t deserve it, bit of a grumpy pants move)...
“We agreed for him to go but then he picked up the injury. And I think we owed it to the rest of the group, to the club, to the supporters, really, that we kept our best players here. Had he not had the injury, he would have gone reluctantly, but with the injury, we wanted to err on the side of caution.”
\Not really sure what the procedures are here, whether they can just change their mind like that. It’s one thing if Boxall is physically unable to play for a couple more weeks because there’s not much point in that case – although he would still be a huge presence off the field – but Boxall is already back in training to some extent and bloody old mate there wouldn’t even rule out the possibility of him playing this very weekend! As in, before the Olympics would even have started. Something ain’t right here."
So will have to take Coach Heath at his word, that Boxall snr could never travel to Tokyo. In truth could have been a blessing in disguise as plenty of minutes for Stensness & Pijnaker who both looked very good. Valuable international experience. And even some minutes for Stanger against Honduras, who unfortunately didn't go so well.