It has been a while since FC Dallas rookie goalkeeper Josh Lambo has played.
On March 30, just five minutes into his first game with the FCD reserves, Lambo collided with Chivas USA's Anthony Hamilton, suffering a serious concussion and a broken jaw.
Since then Lambo, the eighth overall pick in the 2008 MLS Super Draft, has spent the last six weeks recuperating before being cleared to return to training on Monday. He did some drills with Hoops goalkeeping coach Drew Keeshan on his first day back.
"Yes, he's just been cleared today," FCD head coach Steve Morrow said on Monday. "He did some one-on-one work with (goalkeeping coach) Drew (Keeshan) today and Drew said he looked very good. We're really glad to have him back."
Morrow wants to see Lambo return to full fitness as soon as possible so that he can be the backup 'keeper behind starter Dario Sala. The Hoops' other 'keeper, Ray Burse Jr., is currently on loan to the Portland Timbers of the United Soccer League and Morrow doesn't see that arrangement changing any time soon. For the entirety of the season so far, the Hoops have used league pool goalkeepers as the backup on gamedays.
"Yes, that's the plan (to keep him in Portland)," Morrow said. "We want to get Josh (Lambo) fit as quickly as possible. Ray (Burse) is starting to do a lot better up there and is starting to hit his best form again. So, we want that situation to continue. Once Josh gets fit and healthy, he'll be a good backup for us on the bench."
Lambo was certainly ecstatic about returning to training.
"It's great," he said. "It's been a quick six weeks for me, which has been good. I was recuperating for about two weeks and then Steve (Morrow) was kind enough to let me go home for a week. It was great to go back and see the family. I have spent last couple of weeks getting back into it, getting fit and doing cardio. I was counting down the days. I figured out last week that my six weeks would be up this week and couldn't sleep because I was so excited. I was thinking about the saves I would make and getting back into it. It's a great feeling."
The 17-year-old 'keeper said he feels no lingering effects from his injuries. "No (my jaw isn't bothering me) at all," he said. "It hasn't bothered me since about three weeks after the surgery."
But he said it was the worst injury that he's ever experienced in the beautiful game.
"I broke a rib about four summers ago but that wasn't as bad as this," Lambo said. "I've never really had surgery before but the good thing is that I don't remember it because I was knocked out. That's a good thing because I won't be afraid to go in for a breakaway because I don't remember what happened."
Lambo had performed well enough in preseason to earn the backup role behind Sala. His solid showing also helped Morrow make the decision to find a loan for Burse so that he could find playing time, something that might be sparse with FCD. All that did was make missing the last six weeks even tougher for the rookie from Wisconsin.
"This is what I love doing," Lambo said. "Having it be out of my control and not being able to do anything about it was just really frustrating. I know this was supposed to happen and was just trying to keep that in the back of my mind. The injury could have been so much worse. It could have hit my eye or I could have had a much worse concussion, so I'm trying to look at the positives of the injury."
Lambo did also give credit to fellow rookie and roommate Brek Shea for helping him during his recovery.
"He was a big help," Lambo said. "If I needed something, he would help me out. If I wanted a bite to eat, he would run downstairs and get something for me. He's been a big help by keeping me laughing and keeping me smiling. He's helped me stay positive and I really appreciate that."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
