For Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad, this is a time of cautious optimism.
"Hopefully I can bounce back pretty quickly," said Onstad.
Onstad aggravated a calf injury in the 20th minute of the Dynamo's opening CONCACAF quarterfinal match, a 1-0 defeat to Puntarenas. Onstad, who practiced with the team Sunday in Houston after the team's return to Texas, will be out a minimum of two weeks.
"I tried to come back a little earlier than I should have," said Onstad. "For me, the biggest part that bothered me is that we wasted a sub in pretty tough conditions."
With Onstad's recovery time uncertain, the goalkeeper's target is now to be healthy for the regular season opener April 8 against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
"Hopefully we can win Thursday against Puntarenas and that I could play in the next round," said Onstad. "But at this stage the goal is April 8."
Now, Zach Wells shoulders the goalkeeping load. Wells performed well in relief against Puntarenas, including a key save on a Kurt Bernard penalty kick, though Bernard finally beat Wells during injury time for the only goal of the game.
"I feel like I've been able to contribute a little more than at the beginning of last year," said Wells. "I think I've been doing a good job of preparing myself, but I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Wells and the Dynamo look for redemption against Puntarenas Thursday night in College Station.
