Hassani Dotson has been an integral part of head coach Adrian Heath’s side since Minnesota United selected him 31st overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.
Drafted out of Oregon State as a midfielder, Dotson made his first impact in MLS, filling both fullback positions. He made an immediate first impression with a stunning goal (“bangers” by players and teams) throughout his rookie year that Relatively unobtrusive finish sent Minnesota to the postseason for the first time in the club’s short league history. By 2020, Dotson had shifted to a more regular role in midfield. Ozzy Alonso from childhood idol to teammate, faded to a more rotating state. At country level, Dotson stood out in his 2021 US U-23 Olympic qualifiers, while recording his career-best 2,371 minutes at Loons.
A tireless midfielder, many expected him to improve his game in 2022 while continuing to track opponents up and down the pitch. Team training facility, National Sports Center.
“When I tore[the anterior cruciate ligament]I felt something in my shin and I was really nervous,” Dotson said. athletic At the team’s preseason headquarters in Indian Wells, Calif. “Wait, I can’t tear something apart with that noise.” I walked over it, but I was more scared to find out what happened. ”
Unfortunately, it was a right ACL tear, not Dotson’s MCL or meniscus. The artificial surface did what few opposing midfielders could handle in Dodson’s four seasons in the MLS, pulling him out of the game.
Dotson was projected to start regularly in a crowded midfield last season, with the depth chart including former United States international Will Trapp and Honduran internationals Kelvin Arriaga and Joseph Rosales. After making just his seven games (all in which he made 90-minute substitutions), Dotson missed the rest of the year.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Dotson. “Having read the text ‘Hasani Dotsson tore his ACL’, it sounds like a big deal and I still can’t believe I ripped it, but the process was a little easier than expected. Frustrating. but I am recovering from it.
“I don’t feel as bad as I thought. That’s probably because of all the new science and medical teams we have, etc. It’s a big deal, but it’s probably not a big deal compared to what it was 20 years ago.” ”
Dotson was quick to quote Dr. Aimee Klapach, who served as: Chief Orthopedic Surgeon on the Team For helping make him feel “more at ease” since 2017. In early 2018, Minnesota’s Kevin Molino and Ethan Finlay also tore his ACL within months. These procedures predated his time in Minnesota, but they gave Dotson even more confidence in the team’s ability to rehabilitate knee ligament injuries.
“I talked to Ethan a little bit about it,” said Dotson. “My friend (Portland Timbers midfielder) Eric Williamson broke it a year ago, so I was able to ask some guys. defender Jason) Ramos tore him up right after me, so I was able to help him.”
Superdrafted picks teach us that just building an MLS roster takes a lot of work and luck. To date, Dotson is the only player not to be selected in the first round to play for Minnesota since his club debut, and for him, his three-plus years from draft day to injury have been a long one. It required tremendous diligence and drive.
“Athletes are professionals and, like you, go nonstop,” he said.
Going from a fierce player on the pitch to a member of the season-ending injury list has sent shockwaves through the system.
“After I went out that year, I almost felt like… how do I explain this?” Dotson said absent-mindedly massaging his right knee. “I wasn’t in the locker room like my teammates. It was more like a support member if someone wanted to vent or check ideas because of how they were looking at the game etc. I was in that role more You lose a little bit of competitive edge.”
Dotson has gotten pretty good at avoiding “what if” games.
He wasn’t adamant about whether he could have considered a roster for the US Men’s World Cup based on the 2021 show at the U-23s. He couldn’t have imagined what last year’s playoff loss to FC Dallas would look like with his No. 31 jersey roaming midfield.
Instead, he found clarity: appreciating the moment they came and the moment after they passed.
“I just tried to find something I love outside of soccer,” said Dotson. “I was mostly taking deep breaths. I think I’m focused on winning, so I’m really grateful for taking time for myself and everything I had before my injury.
“Everyone gets nervous. Everyone has these high expectations of themselves when they play. You never know if it will happen again, so try not to regret it when it’s over.”
While not covering the entire pitch, Dotson found himself watching another very important mark. His wife, Petra, gave birth to the couple’s first child, Gia.
“I would have missed a lot,” said Dotson. “Despite being away from them for two weeks when we were in Florida for preseason, she took her first steps. We got the video the other day. Every 15 steps of her twirls around like she’s holding something.
“Little things I wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t been there. I think that’s when she started contacting me a little bit — she hasn’t said a word, but she blows her nose and sticks her lip out even when upset.” She makes a little noise, and I think it’s going to be very exciting to see more of her personality come out.”
Of course, no contestant can keep that aspect hidden forever. By the time players began reporting for his preseason in January, he joked that his family was ready to see him return to a team environment.
The question was whether his knees were also ready.
Dotson was caught off guard when the first thing the team’s trainer asked him to do was kick the ball. He’s a right-handed player and didn’t know what to do with his legs on an easy pass. Looking back at that moment, he closes his eyes and seems to be preparing for the pain weeks from this moment.
“No pain, nothing,” said Dotson, with a smile that many Loons fans love.
Hi Hassani 🥲 pic.twitter.com/Q2Y3AiUbg5
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) February 18, 2023
From there, he was able to gradually return to contact drills. He left without setbacks and helped inspire further confidence that he could return to full fitness early in the regular season.
Throughout the last year, Arriaga has been one of the standout new additions to the Loons. The Honduras native has received a yellow card in eight of his 24 games. If the two can work together in midfield, it could give Dotson a tireless spirit and alleviate some of the knee-jerk mileage.
“Now I’ve played a few games with Carvin, even though I was watching outside. He’s got great tools,” said Dotson. “I’ve seen enough of his games to know what he likes to do.
“It’s going to be very important to see how we can get that chemistry working together, especially given what’s going on right now.”
Dotson is also versatile and could take on a more creative offensive role without star Emmanuel Reynoso. Another change in approach is required. After filling the entire field in his first three years, Dotson is more confident than ever that his best role will be a box-his-to-his-box option.
But as has always been for him, the pursuit of the team and silverware after coming close in the 2019 US Open Cup and 2020 Western Conference Finals is paramount.
“The biggest focus for me is to come back completely like myself and take a chance,” Dotson said. “I just want to be the big player on the team, and I am.”
(Photo by Emily Chin/Getty Images)
