Quintero and Mears out, Thiesson could be back, plus more from MNUFC training

Practice Notes from training today:

• Tyrone Mears and Darwin Quintero will not be available this weekend, although, Jerome Theisson may travel and return to the 18.
• Mason Toye and Wyatt Omsberg will both travel to SKC after practicing with the team all week.
• Maximiano, Romario, Pangop and Danladi will all be available, although 90 minutes is questionable.
• The Minnesota State Fair starts today, and the Loons will have players there throughout the next 12 days. Today, it is Mason Toye and Ethan Finlay.

“We were hopeful of getting Darwin back, but unfortunately that’s not the case, but Jerry has got an opportunity to be back with the group” said Heath as he started his presser with media at training today. Minnesota United’s star designated player will be out for the second straight match this weekend, as they travel to Sporting Kansas City during MLS rivalry week. Heath eluded that the three week break after this weeks match was one reason to keep Darwin on the sidelines this weekend, as it gives him an opportunity to fully recover. “We expect him to be back for D.C., the next game after Sporting KC”. “I think we have a better chance if he’s fully fit, so if it’s one more game, so be it.”

Francisco Calvo and Collen Warner will both also be back this weekend, which puts Adrian in the hard spot of deciding if they go back to the 3-5-2 or if they stick with the 4-3-3. When asked about this weekends matchup in Kansas City, Heath elaborated on the struggles the team has had on the road. “The one thing as a coach is you know on the road that it’s going to be a lot more difficult, there are certain ways to get beat and we haven’t really shown that when we are on the road, especially in KC.”

On the topic of Fernando Bob, the teams newest signing, Heath mentioned that the midfielder was held out for a period of time during his 8 month layoff due to a shoulder injury. “He had a shoulder problem, you know, like a separation in the shoulder.” “I’ve been real pleased with him in training, and we have two weeks to get after him now and he should be available for D.C.” Adrian Heath hopes to have a full and healthy 18 for D.C. United on September 12th. This includes Quintero, Mears, Theisson and every other player who has had a slight knock over the past few weeks. Long-term injury players will still be held out.

Minnesota United travels to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday for MLS “rivalry week”. The Loons are 0-1-2 in all competitions in the past year against Kansas City, the most recent match was a 4-1 SKC victory where Maximiano was sent off.