Minnesota United forward Christian Ramirez still out of game-day squad

Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath isn't messing with his lineup much from the previous two matches as the Loons take on the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium. Here is how the squad shapes up:

Bobby Shuttleworth

Jerome Thiesson, Michael Boxall, Brent Kallman, Francisco Calvo

Collen Warner, Ibson

Ethan Finlay, Kevin Molino, Sam Nicholson

Abu Danladi

Bench: Patrick McLain, Joe Greenspan, Miguel Ibarra, Collin Martin, Ish Jome, Johan Venegas, Jose Leiton

New loanee Leiton makes is also in the squad for the first time and has a chance to make his debut.

Forward Christian Ramirez practiced this week after a hamstring injury has kept him out since the July 29 match against D.C. United, but he is still not back in the squad. Ramirez said this was his first muscle injury and the longest recovery time he's ever had in his career.

"It's been a longer process than I thought," Ramirez said. "When I started training, I didn't feel all that quite ready yet. So that's why we took a little extra time."

The forward said he hadn't realized how "tricky" hamstring injuries are, as certain movements as simple as kicking a ball felt weird to him for a while because he didn't realize he used so many muscles.

"Having to come in here so early, leave so late, watch the guys come in and train, and I'm on the side or on a different field," Ramirez said. "That's probably been the toughest part for me because I like to be so involved."