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Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United have already met once in 2020. They meet again Friday in what will be the first of two games played against one another over the next six matchups. Ike Opara missed their first meeting of the year and he’ll be missing the next one as well.
Multiple reports have Opara being listed as out for Friday’s game. That leaves the Loons with just two center backs currently on the roster: Michael Boxall and Jose Aja. They recently signed Bakaye Dibassy, a center back and left back, who joins Minnesota from Ligue 1 club Amiens Sporting Club (France).
With Brent Kallman loaned out and Ike Opara still out for unknown reasons the Loons will head back into MLS play next Friday with just 2 centerbacks - Michael Boxall & Jose Aja. Bakaye Dibassy will arrive at some point but hasn't played a game since March 6th.
— Bruce McMask (@dunord) August 14, 2020
Since the blockbuster trade that sent Ike Opara to Minnesota from Sporting KC, he has gone on to win 2019 MLS Defender of the Year and play against SKC twice. The teams split the games, with the home team winning both. Friday’s game is in Minnesota.
The teams also met in the 2019 US Open Cup but Opara didn’t play in that game. Sporting lost 4-1.
The teams also met in the opening game of the Group Stage of the MLS is Back Tournament with Minnesota getting a 2-1 win after scoring twice in stoppage time while up a man.
United sit one point behind Sporting KC in the Western Conference standings as the season resumes Friday. The battle for first place in the Western Conference resumes at 6:30 PM CT. Stick with The Blue Testament for much more on the game in the coming days. And if you haven’t already, go vote for who should start for SKC.