Darwin Quintero shouldn’t be the only new Loon to play his first game in Minnesota during the upcoming homestand at TCF Bank Stadium.

United coach Adrian Heath has been clamoring for roster reinforcements since last season, and he now has a few at his disposal. Plus, with the Loons mired in a franchise-worst four-game losing streak, there should be freedom to shake up the status quo.

Peruvian Alexi Gomez, who has been billed as a quick, multiple-position player, is set to begin training in Blaine this week, while Brazilian defensive midfielder Maximiano has cleared the final stages in his ACL rehab and was fully integrated in practices last week.

Both Gomez, 25, and Maximiano, 22, arrive on year-long loan deals, with Minnesota holding purchasing options for the players beyond 2018. Let’s see in the near-term if these players show potential for the Loons to finally hit on an incoming loan to be longer-term pieces for when Allianz Field opens next season.

Gomez and Maximiano’s potential debuts at TCF Bank Stadium would coincide with where the Loons play their best. They are 8-7-4 at home since joining MLS last year, while going 4-16-2 on the road. They have five of their next six matches in Minnesota, beginning at 7 p.m.Saturday against Houston Dynamo.

The Loons’ early-season schedule was unforgiving with five of their first seven games on the road, with six of them against MLS Cup playoff teams a year ago. After a 3-1 loss to Seattle on Sunday sunk Minnesota’s record to 2-5 this season, Heath was audacious in mentioning a potential playoff push this season — albeit that statement with a large caveat.

“I do know one thing: If we keep conceding soft goals like that, it’s going to be very difficult for us to mount a playoff charge this year, and we are capable of it with the group we have,” Heath said.

With two Sounders goals allowed in the first 25 minutes, Heath said routine defensive lapses have him at a loss.

“We can’t speak about it enough,” he said. “We can’t show people enough. … It’s something that we need to address, whether that’s in the shape of the team or personnel … it can’t continue.”

The first goal Minnesota allowed was a deep strike from Gustav Svensson well outside the 18-yard box, the primary territory for a defensive midfielder like Maximiano.

Sam Cronin, last year’s defensive midfielder, was indefinitely sidelined in preseason with concussion problems, and the Loons regular starters, Ibson and Rasmus Schuller, tend to want to play higher up the field. Heath has relied on that pair for all but one game, and the exception was due to Schuller being away with the Finnish national team. Related Articles Loons’ Adrian Heath, Kei Kamara believe they can strike simpatico partnership

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Sunday’s second goal came with United captain and center back Francisco Calvo not able get in front of Will Bruin’s shot from the doorstep of the 6-yard box.

Last week, Heath said he was not entertaining breaking up the pairing Calvo and Michael Boxall. We’ll see if that changes over the course the homestand, but it doesn’t bode well for fans clamoring for backup center back Brent Kallman of Woodbury to start his second game this season.

Gomez’s path to the starting lineup appears to be the clearest at left fullback. With Tyrone Mears and Marc Burch out with injuries last week, regular starter Jerome Thiesson, who can play on both sides, was at left fullback. Carter Manley, a rookie, made his second start this season on the right.

Meanwhile, United’s attack is increasingly centered around Quintero, the new, high-priced playmaker who assisted on Christian Ramirez’s second-half goal Sunday.

“I thought Christian did well when he came on,” Heath said. “He gave us a bit of life, and can be pleased with what he did.”

Heath’s other potential changes could be made easier because of injuries. Ramirez subbed on for starter Abu Danladi, who left with an undisclosed injury. Right winger Ethan Finlay, who has stared all seven games this season, also spent time in pain on the turf Sunday with an unknown knock. He gave way to Sam Nicholson at halftime. Both Danladi and Finlay had further tests on their injuries Monday.