Saturday: 7:30 p.m. at FC Dallas * Apple TV, 1500-AM
Preview: The Loons start their seventh season where they ended their sixth — at FC Dallas. They lost a first-round MLS Cup playoff shootout there last October. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made a career-high eight saves but took the shootout loss. The Loons will play Saturday without suspended star Emanuel Reynoso and possibly starting striker Luis Amarilla as well. Fellow Hondurans Kervin Arriaga and Joseph Rosales returned home this week to finalize their U.S. green cards and were set to rejoin the team in Dallas on Friday. Amarilla went home to Paraguay to do the same, but his return by Saturday night is in doubt. "The biggest issue we'll have is if Luis doesn't make it," coach Adrian Heath said. Recently acquired left-footed center back Miguel Tapias is expected to make his MLS debut and start in injured Bakaye Dibassy's spot. FC Dallas' first-round pick and former Minnesota Mr. Soccer Herbert Endeley — taken 24th overall this year, by way of Blaine, Totino-Grace and Indiana University — signed his rookie contract last week. He grew up five minutes from the Loons' training ground.
Injuries: The Loons list veterans Dibassy (torn quadricep ligament) and Doneil Henry (thigh), newly acquired defender Miguel Marques (ankle) and first-round pick Ryen Jiba (knee) as out. Reynoso is suspended for not reporting to the team yet this season. FC Dallas lists no injuries.
