Loons 'fully support' fullback Chase Gasper as he enters treatment program
Mar. 18—Late last week, Chase Gasper cleared concussion protocols after being sidelined from a scary collision in a late-February preseason friendly. The fourth-year left back conducted an interview with an internal staff member in Blaine last Friday and appeared much closer to his 2022 season debut.
But on Wednesday, Gasper, 26, voluntarily entered MLS's Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program. "Personal reasons" was the only explanation shared. MNUFC's statement supported Gasper's decision, and two key Loons echoed that view Friday.
"We fully support him, and it's something that is a difficult decision to make," said Hassani Dotson, a close friend of Gasper's since they joined the club together in 2019. "We all hope he gets better. I have no prior knowledge of that stuff happening."
Manager Adrian Heath addressed the team about Gasper. "It's never easy when someone gets in that situation," Heath said. "The strong thing and the really important thing is that he's admitted he has an issue and now we got to be here for him when he comes back. He's a really popular member of the group. He's a great kid. We just hope this is the start for him to get better."
Heath said there is no initial timeline for Gasper's possible return. Heath also emphasized the addition of left back Kemar Lawrence, which became official Thursday, was not related to Gasper temporarily leaving team activities. The desire to bring in Lawrence has been there for years, and became a possibility in previous weeks.
Lawrence, a former all-MLS-caliber player, was scheduled to arrive in Minnesota on Friday, but his debut against San Jose at 7 p.m. Saturday at Allianz Field is unlikely. Lawrence would have been in Minnesota sooner, if not for recently contracting COVID-19.
Lawrence left Toronto FC without playing a game for coach Bob Bradley this season and has since been training in his native Jamaica, but it's not the same prep as being with a club, Heath said. Lawrence's last appearances were in Jamaica's World Cup qualifiers in late January.
Heath said the club did its due diligence with Toronto's previous staff and didn't see red flags on bringing in the player nicknamed "Taxi."
"They've assured us not only of his attitude, but his quality as a player and as a person," said Heath, citing former New York and Toronto coach Chris Armas. "We take that really important."
Lawrence will stay in Minnesota to ramp up his fitness next week and won't join Jamaica's team for more qualifiers.
With right back Romain Metanire also ruled out for Saturday's game with a leg injury, the Loons might stick with Dotson and D.J. Taylor against the Earthquakes; those were the Loons' fullbacks in last week's 1-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls.
Fullback Oneil Fisher (thigh) won't be available to play Saturday, Heath said.
DAYNE STAYS IN
The Loons' digital advertisements for Saturday's game show goalkeeper Tyler Miller in net. That won't be the case. The starter for the opening two games will be watching Dayne St. Clair
With Miller ill last week, St. Clair made a career-high eight saves, including on a penalty kick, in his shutout of the Red Bulls. He won MLS Player of the Week and will keep the starting spot this weekend.
Heath also said St. Clair will receive a call-up to the Canadian team for World Cup qualifiers next week. He is expected to be a third-stringer on the roster, which has yet to be released.
BRIEFLY
Midfielder and team captain Wil Trapp trained Friday after having the flu midweek. ... Winger Franco Fragapane will be available to play after leaving the New York game with an apparent hamstring injury. ... Per Heath, other Loons international players who will be leaving after Saturday's game: Robin Lod will be with Finland; Bongi Hlongwane will join South Africa; and Kervin Arriaga and Joseph Rosales will go to Honduras. Michael Boxall didn't join New Zealand, which began qualifiers this week, but might still depart. Luis Amarilla wasn't expected as of Friday to meet Paraguay.
