Injury Updates
OUT:

• M – Bernardo Anor (L Lower Leg)
• M/D – Thomad de Villardi (L Achilles)
• D – Joe Greenspan (Head)

QUESTIONABLE:

• F – Ramirez (R Hamstring)

Training Notes

• Marc Burch — who underwent successful surgery for a sports hernia in mid-June — is off injured reserve and back fully practicing with the team. Depending on his fitness level, he could make the 18 for this weekend’s matchup with the Chicago Fire.
• Christian Ramirez picked up a hamstring injury against D.C. United and missed his first consecutive matches since joining the Loons in 2014. Although he’s been practicing with the full squad, expect Heath to not push him back too early and risk losing him for the rest of the year. Abu Danladi has generated a lot of opportunities — if not goals — in his recent starts, so look for Heath to get the rookie more minutes to help build his composure.

Gaffer’s Quote

Adrian Heath on shifts in the backline: “When Burchy [Marc Burch] went down, we had to make Ish [Jome] sort of an emergency left back because obviously we were struggling at center back as well. So I think now it just gives us more options. I think the fact that Francisco [Calvo] has played at left back before is a big help, and it’s another more experienced body. And that was why I changed it at the weekend. I thought, if ever there was a game we were going to need experience on the field, I thought that was it in Seattle. Because Ish [Jome] has done okay at home. But I wanted to make sure we had a lot more experience on the field.”

Marquee Matchups

• Juninho vs. Sam Nicholson: The Loons’ pacy young midfielder will face off against a seasoned MLS vet in Brazilian Juninho. The left flank will be a spot to watch as the former LA Galaxy standout and Nicholson tussle to get each other’s number.
• Nemanja Nikolic vs. Brent Kallman: Kallman made his first start in a while against Seattle and made a big contribution to the defense. Just like last week, the backline will have to contain a potent offense led by one of the best scorers in MLS in Nikolic.