MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact are still enjoying a three-week break from MLS action. But they may have a mini-injury crisis on their hands anyway.
Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who has been a mainstay in the starting XI this season, had to be stretchered off during the 17th minute of Jamaica’s 2-1 win over Guatemala in a World Cup qualifier on Friday. Ricketts picked up a lower body knock in an off-ball situation, which rarely is a good sign.
Montreal head coach Jesse Marsch nevertheless insisted that his No. 1, who felt a bit of pain on the top of his knee, merely wanted to be careful.
"Donovan’s fine; it was precautionary more than anything else,” Marsch told reporters on Monday afternoon. “He gets back late Thursday night, so we have to evaluate where he's at and also decide whether he'll be ready to go or we go another direction and call on Greg [Sutton] or Evan [Bush].”
A decision is expected on the matter on Friday once Ricketts and the staff get a chance to discuss his physical condition. In the meantime, Sutton and Bush have strived in training to make their best impression upon Marsch, who does feel both goalkeepers will be set to step up for Stade Saputo’s grand re-opening against the Seattle Sounders this Saturday (7:30 pm ET, TSN2; MLS Live in the US).
“With Greg and Evan, I think they’ve competed hard this week for that spot and they’ve both been sharp,” Marsch said. “So I'll have a tough decision to make if we decide to go without Donovan.”
