However, I don't think his loss will have too great of an effect on the club. Pope is healthy and is expected to start Sunday, but it will take him some time to regain full match fitness. MLS should definitely drop the shootout and let games end in ties. Three forwards is a possibility, but that might expose United's midfield and defense in a season when the club has had trouble stopping counterattacks. Maybe Sonora and Wood.
Nobody seems to be complaining and the club is still the strongest in the league.
However, the players seem to like Rongen and respect his coaching style and abilities. United will finish first, but may have more trouble than usual in the playoffs. The Eastern Conference isn't nearly as good as the Western, but New England or Tampa Bay could cause problems in the first round of the playoffs and Columbus is sure to be a threat in the conference finals. As for the championship game, it depends who United plays. Colorado, Dallas, LA and Chicago would all give them a difficult match.