Four days after he made his brief debut, newly acquired French left-side defender Bakaye Dibassy made his first MLS start when Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath shuffled his lineup yet again to get rest for many of his starters.
Dibassy played all 90 minutes and swept away a shot on the goal line in the 75th minute that kept the game scoreless, at least for five more minutes.
Fellow defender Michael Boxall called Dibassy's first start "outstanding really" and said, "Once he finds his legs, he'll be an important player for us."
Dibassy entered Wednesday's 3-2 home victory in the 87th minute and played eight minutes for a team that finished with 10 players after right back Romain Metanire incurred a red card in the 82nd minute. Dibassy dropped back and saved a shot with goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair right behind him two minutes after he entered the game.
He did get that chance. On Sunday, he started at left back while Heath gave iron man Chase Gasper a rest and went with a three-man back line that included Jose Aja in the middle and Boxall on the right side.
Carry on
The Loons continued Sunday to play with what Heath calls "half a team" because of their many injuries.
Starters Ozzie Alonso (hamstring), Luis Amarilla (ankle), Ethan Finlay (knee) all are out for at least two or three more weeks. Backup keeper Greg Ranjitsingh (leg) and striker Aaron Schoenfeld (lower calf) weren't available either. Starting goalkeeper Tyler Miller (hip surgery, out for season) and veteran defender Ike Opara (undisclosed) remain out, too.
Heath also significantly juggled his lineup. Minnesota played without Metanire because of Wednesday's red card. He held back Gasper and attackers Emanuel Reynoso, Kevin Molino and Robin Lod from the starting 11, giving them some rest during a busy schedule while calling upon such players as Jacori Hayes, James Musa, Marlon Hairston and Raheem Edwards.
