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His new Minnesota United teammates, after fewer than two weeks, can see the talent.
But what do they call their new striker signed to play with fellow Argentine and former Boca Juniors teammate Emanuel Reynoso?
Will it be Ramon, his first name? Will it be Abila, his surname?
Or will it be Wanchope (Whan-chope-eh) a nickname given Ramon Abila in his youth for his gangly body and a playing style similar to that of former Costa Rican star Paulo Wanchope, who once played with West Ham and Manchester City in England s Premier League.
Loons technical director Mark Watson worked diligently to acquire Abila from Boca Juniors to play alongside new Loons star Reynoso. Abila arrived in Minnesota last week on a loan for a season that begins Friday at Seattle.
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Newly signed striker Ramon Abila made his Minnesota United debut on Friday, playing 20-something minutes as a second-half sub in a 3-2 preseason finale loss at Orlando City. I was pleased with him, Loons coach Adrian Heath said. One thing is you see he s a smart player. He had some really good moments in the box, setting people up as well. I thought he was a bright spot for us, considering the amount of time he has not been playing.
Abila, 31, last played a game for his now former Boca Juniors team in January. You never get sharp until you play games, Heath said by phone in a call with reporters afterward. That s the issue for him. Obviously when you don t play in games, it s very difficult to be as sharp as you d like. We re going to be working him as hard as we can without putting him in danger. It s a very fine balancing act.
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Minnesota United signed first-round draft picks Justin McMaster and Nabilai Kibunguchy on Saturday, and then former Wake Forest striker McMaster went out and scored his second goal in three preseason games, in a 3-1 victory over FC Cincinnati near Orlando.
Each signed a one-year contract with three option years after the Loons moved up in the MLS SuperDraft to select them 17th and 18th overall. Saturday s victory made the Loons winners in three preseason games.
Coach Adrian Heath called both potential top-10 picks had either not been sidetracked by injuries. He called McMaster a potential No. 1 overall pick before he tore his ACL two years ago. Defender Kibunguchy played at Cal-Davis.
Sophomore forward Calvin Harris will play for FC Cincinnati. Author: Amanda Ferguson (WFMY News 2) Published: 5:33 PM EST January 22, 2021 Updated: 5:33 PM EST January 22, 2021
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. Wake Forest had four players picked Thursday in the MLS Superdraft. Calvin Harris and Michel DeShields both went in the top 5. Justin McMaster and Andrew Pannenberg were also taken. The four picks are the most under head coach Bobby Muuss. It s also the first time Wake Forest had two guys picked in the top 5.
Calvin Harris was the first demon deacon off the board. It s a really big feeling of excitement, said Calvin Harris, who is a sophomore forward at Wake Forest.