Editorial (August 6, 2018) – The fears of many Loons fan came true on Monday. Fan-favorite and longtime Loon Christian Ramirez was traded to Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) for allocation money. Much of the Minnesota United FC fanbase is upset with the Christian Ramirez trade and they may have some substance to their anger.
Thoughts on the Christian Ramirez Trade
This move was for seen by many after the Loons acquired Colombian Angelo Rodriguez as their second Designated Player in early July. This move by the club was not needed nor necessary. The Loons already had a player much like Rodriguez in Ramirez. They are both larger forwards built for holdup play and playing with their back to goal.
In a recent home game, Ramirez scored a goal, celebrating the goal with a statement that he was not a “lame duck” of a striker. It was for not as he is headed to California to play for Bob Bradley and Los Angeles Football Club.
The major difference between the two is that Ramirez has proven himself as a goalscorer in Major League Soccer and according to Rodriguez only scored six goals in right around 1,200 in the less competitive Categoría Primera A. Many supporters and pundits view as this a huge and unnecessary risk taken by the club, both signing an unproven MLS striker in DP and trading away a known and valuable asset in the league. The money might have been better used to strengthen the defensive midfield or back line for the Loons.
Rodriguez can still prove himself as a valuable addition to the squad. However, it may take a lot to make up for a fan favorite being pushed out of town. How the money from the Ramirez trade is used may be a big determinant of how the Angelo Rodriguez acquisition is viewed by the fans
