David Ferreira returned to the training field on Tuesday morning for the first time since fracturing his foot on Feb. 28 in a preseason game against Orlando City.
While the 2010 MLS MVP has been out at practice for the past couple weeks doing fitness work, Tuesday marked the first time the Colombian donned his training boots and participated with his teammates.
Ferreira is still likely a few weeks away from playing, but the training run-out is part of a planned schedule to get “El Torito” back on the pitch, according to Schellas Hyndman.
“I think David’s fitness level is really good because he’s worked so hard on it,” the FC Dallas head coach told reporters after Tuesday’s practice. “I think what it is now is building the confidence, building the touch and then getting his teammates to work with him a little as well. This is a normal progression for a player.”
The first part of that progression began Tuesday, which involved getting Ferreira into practice drills as a neutral player who does not engage in any sort of tackling.
“You want to keep them out of contact, then when you bring them into contact, you want to keep them,” said Hyndman. “Being a neutral, he never has to win a tackle. The final phase is you hope you can build him into a live situation.”
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