Injured Ike Opara remains on Minnesota United FC roster The standout defender played in only two games last season. April 16, 2021 8:50pm Text size Copy shortlink:
Minnesota United finalized its roster for Friday s season opener at Seattle with one that included two-time MLS Defender of the Year Ike Opara.
The Loons also opened two international roster spots after they loaned out New Zealander Noah Billingsley and Uruguayan Thomas Chacon and classified midfielder Jan Gregus a U.S. permanent resident when he received his U.S. green card.
Opara, 32, signed a new multi-year contract after he was named 2019 MLS Defender of the Year. A 12-year veteran with a history of concussions, he has played just two games since then, at last season s end.
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Minnesota United signed first-round draft picks Justin McMaster and Nabilai Kibunguchy on Saturday, and then former Wake Forest striker McMaster went out and scored his second goal in three preseason games, in a 3-1 victory over FC Cincinnati near Orlando.
Each signed a one-year contract with three option years after the Loons moved up in the MLS SuperDraft to select them 17th and 18th overall. Saturday s victory made the Loons winners in three preseason games.
Coach Adrian Heath called both potential top-10 picks had either not been sidetracked by injuries. He called McMaster a potential No. 1 overall pick before he tore his ACL two years ago. Defender Kibunguchy played at Cal-Davis.
Opara s playing outlook for Loons shifts back to not so good startribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from startribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.