Minnesota United declares Kervin Arriaga out, brings Ján Gregus back and releases Kemar Lawrence

Minnesota United notified media Thursday about a season-ending lateral meniscus tear in Kervin Arriaga's right knee. Half an hour later, the team announced the return of midfielder Ján Gregus from Nashville SC. In the afternoon, the Loons revealed they had "mutually agreed" with Kemar Lawrence to terminate his contract.

A changed team will take the pitch Friday at Columbus.

Arriaga joins Robin Lod as two key Loons midfielders lost to injury, and Gregus' addition was a byproduct.

Lawrence's departure had appeared to be a matter of when, not if. The 30-year-old fullback failed to rejoin MNUFC's starting 11 upon his return from international duty with Jamaica at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Without Lawrence, the Loons' defensive options on the outside include Zarek Valentin, DJ Taylor, Devin Padelford and newly acquired English player Ethan Bristow — who has trained with the team this week and will be eligible for Friday's match against Columbus. Coach Adrian Heath said Tuesday that Taylor will be a game-time decision, so Bristow could start or at least play important minutes.

"We're in for an area that's been a bit problematic for us in the last few weeks," Heath said during a Thursday news conference via Zoom.

Arriaga logged a 90-plus-minute start about a week ago. He wasn't observed in attendance at practice Tuesday, and Heath said his status was day-to-day because of a knee contusion suffered against Chicago Fire FC.

"We'll give him another day or so to see how that settles," he said then.

Medical staff at Allianz Field briefly tended to Arriaga when he was injured July 27, and he returned to action. The injury was all but forgotten by the time he struck a powerful side volley that Fire goalkeeper Spencer Richey saved to preserve his team's 3-2 lead with a minute of stoppage time left. That was the last time Loons fans will see Arriaga suited up this season.

Arriaga made 10 starts this season and had two goals and two assists. A search for a replacement led to Gregus.

"We felt as though with [Robin] not being available and Kervin not being available ... we felt we were a body short to take us for a really important stretch of the second part of the season," Heath said Thursday. "Obviously, we rang around and found that Ján might be available. For us, it was one of them where we thought, 'Well, why not?' We know the kid, we know what he's about.

"It was pretty much a no-brainer for us."

Gregus' transfer included a 2024 second-round pick and $75,000 of general allocation money sent to Nashville. He has a 2024 option on his contract, and Heath said Arriaga's recovery will continue into the first months of 2024. Heath also noted that Gregus can't be added to the Leagues Cup roster.

The Gregus deal was rumored to be in the works Wednesday, causing questions about why the team would bring back an ex-player to a crowded midfield. The extent of Arriaga's injury explains that.

Gregus, 32, who started one of his 15 matches for the Boys in Gold this season, made 63 regular-season appearances and 57 starts for the Loons from 2019-21. He accounted for 18 assists and two goals and also made four MLS Cup playoff starts.