Minnesota United's Micky Tapias succeeds with deeds and just enough words

Fluent in a peculiar language called "soccer English," recently acquired Minnesota United defender Micky Tapias nonetheless has played these first two months in MLS like he's right at home.

"He's settled in as if he has been here for years," Loons coach Adrian Heath said.

Tapias, 26, arrived from Mexico's Liga MX with his wife and 4-year-old daughter before the February season opener. He signed by transfer from CF Pachuca to a three-year contract with a team option for 2026 because of his experience defending the back line.

Tapias almost immediately found himself partnering with MLS veteran Michael Boxall at center back in the starting 11.

"He has been in a professional environment since he was 11 years old," Heath said. "He gets the game tactically, knows what he's good at and what he's not good at and he plays to his strengths."

Together, Boxall and Tapias have anchored a defense and four-man back line that until last Saturday's 2-1 loss at Chicago had allowed only three goals in the first five games.

"That partnership with him and Boxy, they're doing well," Loons right back D.J. Taylor said. "Micky really doesn't speak English, but somehow they still sort it out. We've seen in games how they read each other's movements. How they plan attacks with the forwards is impressive."

Tapias speaks the universal language of soccer on the field as well as rudimentary soccer English, a combination of key words and gestures.

"He's a smart kid," Heath said. "I don't think he'll be too long before he has a decent grasp of it. The defensive stuff, a lot of it is video and repetition on the training ground. At times him and Boxy have to get on the same page a little bit. But hey, it has been really good since he got here."

Taylor and fellow right back Zarek Valentin both speak Spanish fluently, and there are other native Spanish speakers — Luis Amarilla and Franco Fragapane to name two — who speak enough English to help Tapias get along in a new league and new land.

"Sometimes helping in training, explaining a drill or something like that, kind of bonds us even closer if you can speak two languages on teams with different cultures," Taylor said.

Spotted playing for Pachuca in an international friendly against the Loons at Allianz Field in September 2019, Tapias has started all six games and played all 90-plus minutes in each in a 3-1-2 season.

The Loons seek their first home victory Saturday against Orlando at Allianz Field.

In five games Tapias has played beside Boxall, who was with his New Zealand national team for the other game.

"Truthfully, we've done a good job," Tapias said in Spanish through a team interpreter. "I'm happy to play with him. He's an experienced player. Happy to do everything with him. I feel pleased and comfortable."

The biggest blemish so far is two goals allowed in last Saturday's first half. Two in the first half's first 36 minutes — both by well-traveled former Loons striker Kei Kamara — doomed the Loons in Chicago.

"Saturday we weren't so good," Heath said. "But in general, them two have been excellent."

The first goal allowed was Kamara's left-footed strike from 16 yards out that deflected off Tapias' leg.

"It's a ball that hit me, that grazed me," said Tapias, whose given name is Miguel but who prefers Micky with his new team. "It's bad luck. I call it bad luck because before the goal we had defended well."

Tapias has impressed Taylor.

"I really like Micky," Taylor said. "He has a lot of technical ability. He's a really smart defender. I've just been impressed since the day he started playing. He has made a really smooth transition into our team, into our league. I'm really proud of him and hope he keeps it going."