Before Nicolas Hernandez can repair his reputation as a goal scorer, he first must mend his body.
After two lengthy injury rehabilitations, the Argentinean forward is close to being back to full capacity in a first season with the Columbus Crew that has seen him make four appearances for just 34 minutes. The last came for the final 60 seconds or so against Kansas City on Saturday after recovering from a left knee bone bruise that sidelined him for nearly three weeks.
He followed that with 73 minutes in a reserve match the next day.
"Last week I started training with the group," he said. "I'm not 100 percent yet. With more minutes on the field I start to feel better. I need more minutes, with the reserve team, maybe friendly matches, to get more fitness."
His objective is to score goals as he did in his initial MLS season with Colorado in 2006 when he had seven -- along with six assists -- in 30 regular-season games to earn the team's MVP award. He slumped to one goal in 17 matches last season and although he was known for his hard work and willingness to play a midfield position, the Rapids shipped him to Columbus in February for Tim Ward and a draft pick.
The Crew are still waiting for the move to pay dividends since Hernandez has yet to take a shot.
"It's tough for me because I come here with a lot of expectations and I get an injury in my foot first then my knee," he said. "I've never been 100 percent with my possibilities to play and now it's starting to come together in practice and I hope to start playing more.
"I'm an offensive player, everybody knows that. I can play forward, on the sides, wherever they need me I can play to show what I can do on the offensive side of the field."
Cracking the starting lineup will be tough. Fellow countryman Guillermo Barros Schelotto was named to the MLS Best XI last year and is not going to be unseated. Forward Alejandro Moreno scored twice against the Wizards and has a team-high six goals. Meanwhile, in the midfield Robbie Rogers has scored five times patrolling the left flank and Emmanuel Ekpo has shown improvement on the opposite side in his first season in the league.
The return of Hernandez was one of many welcomed by the Crew recently, who seem to be getting healthier heading into summer. Defender Ryan Junge, midfielder Duncan Oughton and forward Jason Garey logged minutes last week in both the U.S. Open Cup match against Chicago and the game in Kansas City.
Also, midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi (left quad strain) was running and cutting at practice this week in anticipation of his coming off the injured reserve list next week; forward Guilherme So (back strain) is scrimmaging again and defender Gino Padula (left knee MCL sprain) played the first half of the reserve match vs. K.C. Sunday and is ready to return to the full team. His last MLS appearance was April 26.
"I know I'm not 100 percent because I've been out for awhile," Padula said. "I'm happy. I tested it in the reserve game and it felt good."
The Crew will also be bolstered for Saturday's match at Los Angeles by the return of midfielder Brad Evans from a one-game red card suspension and defender Frankie Hejduk after a stint with the U.S. national team.
"We've got a lot of guys coming back now. Hopefully, they'll be able to contribute," Moreno said.
However, it's not all sunshine beaming over the Crew camp. Midfielder Adam Moffat had season-ending knee surgery June 10 and defender Ezra Hendrickson will miss his second consecutive match due to a groin strain. Still, even the bad news has been tempered. When midfielder Eddie Gaven suffered a left ankle sprain during the Open Cup loss to Chicago it was feared he would be out 6-8 weeks. He said Wednesday that estimate has been halved.
A relatively healthy squad comes at a good after a tough schedule. The Crew bussed eight hours to and from its Open Cup match June 10 against the Fire in Peoria, Ill., and was at K.C. last Saturday. The upcoming match vs. the Galaxy at The Home Depot Center marks the team's third on the West Coast since May 10.
After Saturday, the Crew have only one away match (July 12 at Real Salt Lake) until after the All-Star Game.
Craig Merz is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
