BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Dominic Oduro’s speed helped to a breakout 2011 season in which he scored 12 goals, but he's had no such luck this year. The Chicago Fire forward’s lightning-quick gait has been slowed by a hamstring injury during a stretch in which he’s scored one goal in nine games.
Oduro had an MRI early this week and doctors pinpointed a small injury that can be healed by massage. Like several teammates hobbled by injuries, Oduro didn’t participate in Chicago’s only two practices this week on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“It’s not painful, but obviously, as you can see, it is hindering my runs a little bit, and it has been for a couple of weeks on the field,” Oduro said. “I was told to rest this week, and I should be able to go next week.”
Oduro said he should be full-go on Monday, when the Fire return to training in advance of their game against New York on June 17.
“I’m glad that we have these two weeks off,” Oduro said. “I’m really blessed, because that will give me time to rest.”
Defense struggling
Since Arne Friedrich went down with a hamstring injury, the Fire have allowed 10 goals in five games, going 1-4-0.
“We hit a tough stretch, but that’s part of the game, part of the season,” defender Jalil Anibaba said. “It kind of leaves a bad taste in our mouths.”
Left back Gonzalo Segares doesn’t necessarily think the defense has been outplayed for entire games.
“It’s just been mental lapses and not being able to concentrate for 90 minutes,” he said.
Other injuries
Austin Berry, who has an injured shoulder, and Patrick Nyarko, who has injuries to his ribs, hip and hamstring, were both held out of practice this week.
Logan Pause was the only starting midfielder to practice on Wednesday, with Pável Pardo and Sebastián Grazzini taking the day off and Marco Pappa gone on international duty with Guatamala.
Several academy players took resting players’ places in Wednesday’s practice.
