CARSON, Calif. - Chivas USA returned a strong foundation from their 2006 squad but one of the club's key pieces and building blocks for the future has been absent for several weeks.
Jonathan Bornstein has not been able to participate in much of anything since he partially tore knee ligaments on Feb. 22. However, Major League Soccer's 2006 Rookie of the Year started running on a treadmill earlier this week and said his knee continues to improve.
"I'm running now, on the treadmill at least," Bornstein said. "I think in the next couple of days I think, I'm going to start going on the field and warming up with the team, trying to get that lateral movement, that side-to-side movement back and just taking it day by day."
Bornstein has set his sights to return by March 31 or April 1. He hopes to train with the team - at least for portion of a training session - by then. He can't point his finger on exactly how he'll get there but he said he knows he can.
"I feel good. I didn't really know when I'd be running or biking and I feel like I'm running pretty fast with no pain," Bornstein said. "I've never had an injury like this so I don't know the time schedule but the doctors say I'm right on track for coming back maybe even a little earlier."
Bornstein had a breakout 2006 season. After Chivas USA nabbed him with the first pick in the fourth round of the 2006 SuperDraft, Bornstein locked up a job at left back despite playing as an attacking player throughout his collegiate career. He embraced the position and quickly made his presence felt on an emerging Chivas USA backline.
In July, he scored four goals as necessity forced him to move into midfield and forward. He was named MLS Player of the Month for his efforts and by year's end he was tabbed as the league's top rookie.
Former Chivas coach Bob Bradley called Bornstein up to the U.S. national team this year and he continued his meteoric rise. Bornstein scored his first goal in his first match, a 3-1 win against Denmark on Jan. 20, and continued his solid play at left back in a 2-0 win against Mexico on Feb. 7.
Although he said he was disappointed at missing out on the U.S. national team's late March friendlies, he said there would be other opportunities in the future. Just as troubling is the inability to play in any of Chivas USA's recent preseason friendlies.
"Mentally, it's tough," he said. "Obviously I want to be out there as much as I can. Physically it's also tough because an injury is always hard to deal with."
In his absence, Bornstein said other players are getting a chance and making the most of it. When he returns, Bornstein said, his starting spot won't necessarily be waiting for him.
"Other guys are stepping up and playing well. Orlando (Perez) is playing very well at left back. That's expected when you have an injury. Other guys are going to step up," he said. "When I come back it's going to be a matter of me working hard and hopefully getting another chance and when I get the chance capitalizing on it."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
