Minnesota United is fearing the worst after Hassani Dotson injured his right knee during the first half of a 2-2 draw with Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.
Head coach Eric Ramsay said after the game that he would “reserve judgement,” but added he “doesn’t think it’s looking great.”
“Until we have that scanned and confirmed, we certainly hold out all hope in the world for him,” Ramsay added. “We’ll revisit that one on Monday.”
The Loons’ starting central midfielder went to ground and grabbed his right knee after contact from Galaxy forward Gabriel Pec in the 34th minute at Allianz Field. Dotson was in pain for moments but remained in the game.
“I know he had some discomfort after an incident that was close to the bench, and it was something he wasn’t able to shake off,” Ramsay said. “You know how Hassani is; he is a tough guy. He is an all-action player, and one that is desperate to stay on the pitch. You assume that if he wasn’t able to do so, then there is certainly something there.”
Less than 10 minute later, Dotson jumped and seemed to land wrong on that right leg. He grabbed the same knee and was subbed out in favor of new defensive midfielder Owen Gene.
It’s the same knee that suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during an indoor practice in spring 2022.
The Loons have some depth in midfield, with Will Trapp, Joaquin Pereyra, Robin Lod, Hoyeon Jung and Gene. But Dotson has been first choice, starting all five games this season.
Dotson has played 374 out of 450 total minutes this season. The free agent to be at the end of the season scored a stunning goal, his first of the year, on a volley from outside the box in the 3-3 draw with Sporting Kansas City last week.
After Saturday’s draw, players were discussing Dotson’s injury in the locker room.
“So unfortunate,” said Kelvin Yeboah, who scored two goals Saturday. “He is a great player, a great asset for the team and for the squad. He has such an important role. He’s our engine, in a sense.”
Ramsay said Gene “did a good job” in his 48-minute shift.
“(He) is probably less offensive-minded than Hassani,” Ramsay said. “He can certainly handle the ball, and he can certainly run and break play up. He can help you launch counterattacks in the middle third in the way he intercepts and the way he presses. So, I was more than happy with that performance.”
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