Romain Metanire has been ever-present for Minnesota United this season, quietly becoming one of the team's most important players.
Metanire's quality was on full display yet again in Minnesota United's 1-0 win over D.C. United — their first at Allianz Field. Metanire assisted on the game's lone goal, a dangerous cross that required the most subtle of touches from Angelo Rodriguez to find the back of the net.
“He’s been outstanding, hasn’t he?” head coach Adrian Heath said of Metanire after the match. “And I think the back four defended the goal really well again today. I thought the defensive partnership in the middle was very good. Romain gives us that little dimension going forward. If there’s a better right back in the league, I’m not seeing him at the minute."
Check out what the Extratime crew has to say about the claim in the video above.
Heath may have a point.
Metanire leads all defenders in assists (4), successful crosses from open play (16), interceptions (23) and is second in chances created (13), trailing only Keegan Rosenberry. All stats per Opta, minimum 300 minutes played.
The Madagascar international was part of a defensive overhaul that saw Minnesota acquire Jan Gregus, Ozzie Alonso and Ike Opara in hopes of curing defensive issues that plagued the club in their first two seasons in MLS.
"I’ve said before, if we keep clean sheets, we’ll win games," Heath said. "Because we’ll score goals. And it took one, which wasn’t the greatest goal in the world. But one will be enough. Clean sheet."
