Injuries swing back into style as RSL ready for home match

Injuries swing back into style as RSL ready for home match

Tags: 

With a match coming in just a couple days — and another not long after — it's time to look at the squad and see what we can derive. We've got some folks out, and this may mean we see some new faces in the 18 — if not the 11.

Certainly out for Saturday's match are Javier Morales and Chris Schuler. Javier is still "on the mend," as Jason Kreis put it, and is sitting out training for the remainder of the week in a bid to recover full fitness at some point this season. He's sure to be a little disappointed that he's been struck by injury this season, but such is to be expected after a long injury layoff owing to traumatic injury.

Chris Schuler, in much vaunted form this season, is out with a slight stress fracture — I believe that's what it is at least – but isn't a long-term doubt. It's more precautionary than anything, and we can be hopeful for a full, unencumbered return before too long. One can only hope.

Potentially out are Alvaro Saborio, Chris Wingert, Leone Cruz, and Terukazu Tanaka. Saborio has had some slight knee swelling and sat out training yesterday — I'm not sure about today — and is doubtful for the match. An efficient strike force is essential, and again, the club will be hopeful for positive news on his knee.

Chris Wingert is doubtful, too, following his hamstring strain in the last league match, but apparently the player feels a good deal better than the trainers are comfortable — so says Jason, at least. Having him in the side would be quite nice, as Terukazu Tanaka has a slight muscle strain. He, too, sat out training yesterday — a blow for him, no doubt, as he's been hunting for minutes and altogether unlucky to not see more than his start against Montreal brought. Also out in the defense is Leone Cruz, also with a slight muscular strain.

And in the strangest injury report of the week, Paulo Jr. is out after he picked up an infection following some dental work. A bit unlucky, that — I mean, unless he was getting petri dishes implanted in his mouth so he could develop MRSA bacteria, in which case, I suppose it's to be expected. Still, I don't think he was doing that. (Obviously, right?)

So what does all mean for our side against FC Dallas? Well, we are lucky in that we aren't missing more guys, I suppose. There's that small bit of shimmering light around the edges of those storm clouds. If Tanaka and Wingert aren't deemed ready to start the match, Jason Kreis will have to make a big decision about the full back spot. Will he opt for somebody like Will Johnson, who has proved he can play there in a pinch? Or will he aim for somebody like Chris Estridge, whose relative lack of experience at this level might be a detriment? Of course, experience doesn't much grow on trees, and that might play into Kreis's thinking.

Our midfield isn't too incredibly hit by injury — Javier is the only one who's been reported — but we'll also be dealing with the absence of the talismanic Kyle Beckerman, who is off with the national team. This opens a spot for Yordany Alvarez, and while Yordany is looking better this season than the late stages of last (of course, he'd only just joined), I wouldn't be surprised if somebody like Will Johnson is kept in the midfield to provide a bit of defensive cover in case of mistake. Luis Gil is almost certain to take that attacking spot from Javier, and Ned Grabavoy is a lock in his right midfield slot. The full back spot, then, is causing some troubles, it would seem.

Up front, without Saborio and Paulo Jr., I'd imagine we'll see Bonfigli get his first start of the season — he's looked bright during his time on the pitch, so I'm not particularly afraid. Of course, we might also get to see some of Cody Arnoux, whose play was rather nice in the BYU friendly. Lots of questions, and I'm afraid my lack of insider knowledge keeps me a bit in the dark. Of course, it's entirely likely that Jason Kreis is waiting for Friday or Saturday to make some of these late decisions. Let's not rule that out.

Right, other than that, I don't have much to say. Or, rather, much to say that I think is interesting, relevant, and worth writing. I could ramble about some things for hours and days and years. You know how that is, though.

'Til tomorrow! With any luck, I'll hop out to training. If so, watch for notes. If not, watch for some sort of post. Yes, specificity is king here at Under the Crossbar.