Kevin Venegas makes MLS debut as Minnesota United FC takes on New England Revolution

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – All of Minnesota United FC's absences have again shaken up coach Adrian Heath's starting lineup.

Christian Ramirez

Miguel Ibarra, Ibson, Bashkim Kadrii

Collen Warner, Mohammed Saeid

Jerome Thiesson, Brent Kallman, Vadim Demidov, Kevin Venegas

Bobby Shuttleworth

Bench: Billy Heavner, Jermaine Taylor, Josh Gatt, Ish Jome, Abu Danladi, Collin Martin

Venegas said this wasn't the way he pictured making his first start and first appearance for United in MLS, but he's using this opportunity to prove he deserves a spot. "Viva" hadn't even made the match-day squad the past two matches.

"I've been working hard at practice, and I feel like I'm ready to step in at a minute's notice, which is what happened here," Venegas said. "watching Ibson, watching Brent [Kallman], I definitely was excited for them [playing well against Colorado last week.] … And it made me want to do the same if I ever got my chance."

Heath said even if not for the abundance of missing people because of injuries, national team call-ups and a suspension, both Ibson and Kallman would have solidified a spot in this week's starting lineup from their performances in the 2-2 draw at Colorado.

Heath said he knows Venegas, a holdover from United's North American Soccer League squad, has been "really disappointed" that he hasn't played, and the coach hopes the right-back's performance Saturday gives him a difficult decision to make next week.

This is also Shutleworth's first time playing as an opponent at New England after spending his whole career pre-United there, since 2009.