Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath declared after Friday's training his team pretty much fully fit for the first time this season.
Minnesota United FC players are fit for first time this season, coach Adrian Heath says
Romain Metanire, Franco Fragapane and Oniel Fisher are all healthy and ready to play Sunday at Austin FC.
April 9, 2022 at 1:24AM
![Vancouver Whitecaps forward Lucas Cavallini (9) tried to put Minnesota United defender Romain Metanire (19) off the ball in the first half. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/YFIY6ZKDN4NXPUGUXHB36HCKHU.jpg?&w=712)
He watched right back Romain Metanire run and declared him ready to make his season debut in its sixth game. Metanire has been out because of hamstring and toe injuries.
"Romain is looking like his old self," Heath said. "We'll wait and see what we do. It might be a bit early for him to start, but he wants to start and he feels as though he's ready to start."
Heath also called attacker Franco Fragapane and defender Oniel Fisher fit for Sunday's game at Austin FC. Heath called deciding who will travel and who won't his problem.
"That's the first time we've had," he said. "The squad has virtually picked itself. Competition at positions is always healthy."
The Loons' only listed absences are starting left back Chase Gasper (MLS' SABH program) and forward Patrick Weah (knee surgery).
Ready to start
Heath also said recently acquired veteran Kemar Lawrence is set to start at left back after making his Loons debut last week against Seattle as a second-half sub.
"I'm looking forward to seeing him this weekend," Heath said. "He'll probably start. I think he's about ready."
Etc.
- With Metanire, Fisher and Lawrence all fit on the Loons' back line, DJ Taylor from the first-team training traveled with MNUFC2 for Friday's game at Real Monarchs SLC to get some game action.
- The U.S. Open Cup's third-round regional draw conducted Friday sends the Loons to play at USL League 1's Forward Madison on April 20 at 6 p.m.
- Minnesota United's U17 and U15 academy teams begin play Saturday in the Generation Adidas Cup near Dallas. Each will play Manchester United's youth teams as well as MLS academy teams. "It'll be a real chance to see how they do," Heath said.
- Dayne St. Clair will start in goal for the fourth consecutive game, Heath said.
Minnesota started only two strikers against Seattle, leaving Sang Bin Jeong and Joseph Rosales to provide the width behind Teemu Pukki and Kelvin Yeboah.
