Only weeks ago, Minnesota United had four goalkeepers in preseason camp plus an unsigned draft pick out with an injury. Now, with two recent injuries, Bobby Shuttleworth will get the start in the coming weekend and Minnesota United will be forced to call up an emergency goalkeeper.
First-choice keeper, John Alvbåge suffered an injury in last weekend’s home opener that will keep him out of contention for one-to-three weeks. Alvbåge watched training today and other than soreness reports that he is doing well.
Meanwhile, Patrick McLain suffered a blow to the head and concussion protocols put him out of contention until next week.
In February, the Loons traded Femi Hollinger-Janzen to the New England Revolution for Bobby Shuttleworth and the former Revs man will see his first start when Minnesota faces Colorado on Saturday.
Down to one goalkeeper, Adrian Heath said Tuesday that the team would be calling up an emergency goalkeeper. Usually, the league has a pool of emergency keepers from which a team can draw, however, the league confirmed that there are currently no pool keepers signed. This means that Minnesota United could sign a non-MLS player on a short-term basis.
Shuttleworth got a brief run-out at the end of Sunday’s match against Atlanta United when he came in for the injured Alvbåge. The keeper wasn’t fazed by playing in the snow over the weekend. “I’m from Buffalo,” he said, “so I’ve played plenty of games in the snow.”
“We just need to come together as a unit,” he said as he looked forward to his start on Saturday. Shuttleworth had been dealing with a knee injury in recent weeks but said he’s recovered and is in full health for his first Loons start.
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