It’s been difficult to establish a rhythm for the Loons. Heading into the international break, Minnesota United FC will carry a depleted roster from its draw against Colorado. The Loons will miss five of their starters for this weekend’s game against the Revs due to call-ups and a suspension. However, Collen Warner has become a beacon of stability for Minnesota.

Warner is no stranger to the twists and turns of the MLS season. Since joining the league in 2010, Warner has logged 11,130 minutes. Still, the expansion project in Minnesota provides its own new challenges. Warner has had three different midfield partners (Rasmus Schüller, Mohammed Saeid, and Ibson) through three matches, but Warner remains focused on not letting it affect his game.

“Yeah, it’s something I’m aware of every week,” Warner remarked after the team’s training on Tuesday. “Ibson is a little different from Schüller and Saeid. It doesn’t change my mentality that much, though. It’s more of a collective thing that we’re working on with the team.”

Through three matches, Warner is one of only two Loons to log all 270 minutes (along with Francisco Calvo). Calvo is out on international duty, joined in Costa Rica by Johan Venegas. Schüller is off to Finland, while attacker Kevin Molino is with Trinidad and Tobago. A veteran of a league that plays matches despite these call-ups, Warner knows the pressure is on the remaining guys.

“With five players being gone next week, whether people realize it or not, everyone needs to be ready to play meaningful minutes,” according to Warner.

New challenge in New England

As Minnesota tries to build momentum, it will face off against a New England Revolution side that has suffered losses in its first two matches. This isn’t due to a lack of talent, however. Between 2015 MLS Golden Boot runner-up Kei Kamara, USMNT regulars Lee Nguyen and Juan Agudelo, and Uruguayan spark plug Diego Fagúndez, New England has its full roster ready for Saturday. The matchup is a very different one for the Loons than their previous in Colorado, with the Rapids a defense-first side.

“I’ve gotta keep looking over my shoulder,” Warner analyzed. “Nguyen is good at playing on the angle and getting the ball in behind you. He plays best between the center backs and the midfield. We have to keep the lines tight to prevent space. We want to continue to minimize that space for players like Kei, Juan, Diego, and Lee. They have a little pace up top. We do better if we keep the game in front of us.”

Warner figures to be back in the lineup again versus the Revolution. With Calvo unavailable for selection, a start would make the holding midfielder the only Loons player positioned to play every minute through four matches. As a new team is rolled out, it’s natural for lineups to change, and for Adrian Heath and his staff tinker to find their best XI. The fact that Warner has made the grade each week is a sign that he’s here to stay. 

Training notes

• Center back Joseph Greenspan was back to training today, but did not partake in contact drills. Greenspan has been in MLS’ concussion protocol for nearly two weeks.
• Goalkeeper John Alvbåge was working with the training staff on agility and visual focus. With goalkeeper Patrick McLain also out with concussion symptoms, recent addition Billy Heavner was still with the Loons.
• The club had 18 field players in drills, including the suspended Justin Davis. This creates a chance for nearly every fit player to be in consideration for minutes this weekend.

Yo Adrian!

• On Ibson: “He got on the pitch and did excellent. Nobody has disputed his ability, but I thought he showed a real discipline to his game. When we went to 10 men, it was a side of Ibson I had never seen. He played like a No. 6, stayed in the hole, and got other players in around him. He had a great day on Saturday. He’ll play this weekend and it’s up to him now.”
• On the decision not to appeal Davis’ red card: “You try and speak to one or two people who have influence, shall we say? It came back to us that we better not appeal it. I still disagree. Justin went in to play the ball. He caught [Marlon Hairston], but it wasn’t malicious or with intent. That’s the rules of the game. I was disappointed on the day. Having seen it three or four times, it was a harsh decision.”
• On his players’ recoveries: “Alvbåge’s feeling a lot better. He gets his stitches out tomorrow. McLain still has concussion symptoms. Greenspan joined in today, but we’ll see how he is in the next couple days. I would think it’s probably going to be a bit early for all three this weekend.”

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