As week three comes to an end, the Loons’ team chemistry has begun to show not just on the field, but off the field as well. Newcomers are establishing relationships and have made the preseason far more competitive than ever before.

“The group is really sharp right now,” said newcomer Justin McMaster. “You can tell that the intensity is really high. The coaches have been pushing us a lot, so it’s been good so far.”

Newcomers aren’t the only ones experiencing their first preseason with the Loons. Midfielder Emanuel Reynoso joined MNUFC partway through the season last year, meaning this is his first chance to go through preseason training with the team.

“Last year I didn’t do preseason before I got here,” said Reynoso. “So I’m happy to be with the group and participate in preseason, which is the foundation of the entire season.”

The Loons know that preseason is where it all begins for them. It’s because of this that the players take on every practice with one hundred percent intensity.

“We have to prepare and mentally ready ourselves, for the upcoming year is going be an important and hard one for us,” said Reynoso.

Week three of preseason for the Loons ended with a scrimmage against Omaha. Additionally, a few Loons are preparing themselves for international duty, such as Jukka Raitala (Finland), Robin Lod (Finland), Romain Metanire (Madagascar) and Dayne St. Clair (Canada). These players will make their way to their callups this weekend just as Callum Montgomery (U23 Canada) and Hassani Dotson (USMNT) did.