Gameday preview: Minnesota United at Toronto FC

Injuries hinder return to work

Preview: After its emotional Allianz Field opener Saturday, Minnesota United plays three times in the next 10 days. It will start at Toronto without center back Ike Opara and likely without wing Miguel Ibarra. Opara needed seven stitches to close a gash over an eye after he banged heads with NYCFC's Valentin Castellanos late in the 3-3 draw. He didn't train with the team Tuesday or Wednesday and is listed as out. Ibarra was upgraded to questionable in United's Thursday injury report, but probably is not ready yet after he missed the last two games because of a hamstring injury. … "We didn't play as well as we hoped," midfielder Ethan Finlay said about the Allianz opener. "When you combine the big stage, all the buildup to the first game, the weather conditions, when you throw it all in there you're probably not going to get the cleanest game. Everyone's jazzed up. Everyone's a little bit anxious. Now that that has happened, we can take a breath and say that's just our next home game." The Loons have home games Wednesday against L.A. Galaxy and April 28 against D.C. United … Toronto is 3-1-1 after starting the season with three consecutive victories, then tying Chicago at home and losing 3-2 at Seattle. Toronto star Jozy Altidore has scored five goals in his first four games.

Injuries: United D Opara and D Chase Gasper (hamstring) are out, Ibarra is listed as questionable. Toronto D Drew Moor (adductor) is questionable.

JERRY ZGODA