Gameday preview: Deportivo Saprissa at Loons

Time for Loons' bench to shine

Preview: The Loons will use this midweek international friendly (exhibition) at TCF Bank Stadium to play some reserves who haven't seen extended minutes this season. That also will give the starters a chance to rest ahead of Saturday's match against Real Salt Lake after recently playing three games in nine days. Saprissa, a Costa Rican club, lost 2-0 to the Columbus Crew and 1-0 to Argentinian club River Plate so far on its U.S. preseason tour.

Quotable: "I'm really pleased for a lot of the younger guys. [Bertrand Owundi Eko'o has] been chomping at the bit to get on a game on a full-sized pitch against opposition he knows he can get a bit more physical with because it's part of his game. Frantz Pangop has been chomping at the bit to get 90 minutes against like-minded opposition. Collin Martin, Maximiano, Harrison [Heath], they need the games. So it's a good night for a lot of the younger guys to get some serious minutes." – Coach Adrian Heath.

Connections: United center back and team captain Francisco Calvo played at Saprissa's youth academy from 2005-10 and was with its first team from 2015–16, when he scored 13 goals and had one assist in 71 appearances. United midfielder Johan Venegas has been on loan to Saprissa all year but is not with the team for this summer tour. He scored five goals and had an assist in 27 appearances for the league champions this year.

Injuries: For United, M Sam Cronin (concussions), D Jerome Thiesson (calf/Achilles) and D Michael Boxall (groin) are out while F Abu Danladi (hamstring) and D Marc Burch (knee) are questionable.Megan Ryan