Loons’ Robin Lod to be out 4-6 months with knee injury

Robin Lod’s season is in serious jeopardy.

Minnesota United manager Adrian Heath said Monday afternoon the Loons integral midfielder might be sidelined four to six months after having reparative surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee on Monday morning.

“Obviously not great news,” Heath said in a video call with reporters. “Big disappointment for us because he is so important for us, but, hey, this is football and you have to overcome these things. He will, too. He’s a strong kid. … We’re hopeful he will make a full and speedy recovery.”

The Loons’ 2023 season will stretch more than five more months. In four months’ time, the Lons will have three regular season games in October before a possible berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs into late October and November.

Heath said he will get a better idea of Lod’s full recovery timeline later Monday, but didn’t rule out the injury might be season ending.

“That is something that will need to be discussed,” Heath said. “… I’ve not spoke to the (club’s orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Aimee Klapach) yet to get the full diagnosis of what she thinks. (Whether it is season-ending) will be determined, I think. … It’s a possibility and we will err on the side of caution, rather than rushing him back.”

Last summer, Lod, 30, signed a new three-year contract through the 2025 season, with a club option for 2026. He has been a versatile piece for MNUFC, playing primarily as an inverted winger and central midfielder in 11 MLS games this season.

After the operation in the Twin Cities on Monday, Lod thanked the club and medical staff for their support in an Instagram post.

“Thank you to my teammates and everyone in the club for all the support you have shown me, I truly appreciate all of you,” Lod wrote. “I’ll be back!”

Reynoso update

Emanuel Reynoso is expected to return to a portion of Loons training in Blaine on Thursday.

“I don’t want to give people hope that in a week or so Rey is going to be running out at Allianz (Field) for us because he’s still a ways away from that,” Heath said.

Reynoso was reinstated by MLS last week, and after not playing in a competitive game since October, he will need time to ramp up his fitness and form before making his season debut for MNUFC.

Briefly

Micky Tapias (knee) and Joseph Rosales (knee) suffered minor knocks in the 1-0 win over Portland on Saturday. Heath said he will rotate some players in the starting XI to play Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup round of 16 match at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. Heath did not say whether backups such as goalkeeper Clint Irwin or backup center back Brent Kallman are in line for starts.

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