Urheilu’s expert Antti Pohja was not surprised by Teemu Puki’s transfer to the MLS series. He believes that the transfer will also be beneficial for Huuhkaji.
Anu Karttunen,
Joel Holm
Sports expert Antti Pohja expect that Teemu from Puki becomes the team’s responsibility bearer in Minnesota United. Although Minnesota expects Puki to be a scorer above all else, the Finnish men’s national team’s all-time best scorer has diversified as a player over the years.
– I also see Puk as the provider of the last passes and a piece of the offensive game that decides games. Today, as a player, he is a tough mover and creator of space for others, Pohja stated.
Pohja was not surprised by Puk’s MLS transfer, although he believed there were many offers on the table. He thinks he will play in Minnesota By Robin Lodi who also spoke on behalf of Puki.
– But the speeches are not as essential here as what Pukki has been able to show on the field. Yes, Minnesota still gets a very strong player out of him.
Serviceable player
From the point of view of Huhkaji, Puki’s transfer to Lodi’s teammate can be a good thing, according to Pohja. The duo has shown their effectiveness many times in the national team and how well they play together and read each other’s game.
Although the trip to Finland and the national team games is increasing, Pohja believes that Puki will still come to the national team games with fresher legs than before from Norwich.
– Especially in the Championship series, the number of matches is huge. There aren’t quite as many matches in MLS. At least Lodi’s grips have not shown fatigue in international matches.
In North America, there has been a lot of investment in traditional soccer and the MLS series recently. One reason for this is the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
– Pukki will certainly get a different, but great experience from this transfer, and will certainly stay in shape through tough matches. He is still a useful player for the national team as long as he himself feels that he has something to contribute.
This year’s MLS season started at the end of February and the teams have played 18-20 matches. The last regular season matches are played at the end of October, so Puki has plenty of time to get into the team.
Minnesota United is currently in 12th place in the MLS Western Conference. There are four points away from the playoff fight.
Pohja believes that Pukki is in a very good attack right from the start, because the goal gun has been allowed to whistle for a while now.
– I don’t believe in any kind of cooling. If MLS has ever been a bit of a series where you go there for the last year of your playing career to watch the big lights, I don’t believe in that anymore. I believe that there so (Lionel) Mess like Pukki, they start to weigh a hundred in a glass.