OBETZ, Ohio – Columbus Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum is a targeting Saturday for his return from a sore left shoulder but can rest easy knowing that if he's not ready to face New England that backup Matt Lampson can once again do the job.
"It wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to miss another game," Gruenebaum said. "We have confidence in Matt. From my standpoint, I don't want to miss any more games."
Lampson made his first start of the season July 7 vs. Portland and posted his first career shutout in the 1-0 victory. With the help of a Timbers red card in the 11th minute he had to make only one stop, but it was a points-saver in the 87th minute against Darlington Nagbe.
Following the Portland game, Lampson played a Reserve League match July 10 against Dayton and went 60 minutes in Saturday's friendly vs. Wigan. He likely will start Wednesday's Reserve League match at Chicago.
Gruenebaum was injured late vs. LA on July 4 and could be seen wincing after diving to his left in an unsuccessful attempt to stop a Robbie Keane penalty in the 85th minute.
On a second PK by Keane in stoppage time Gruenebaum also landed on his bad shoulder and could not stop the winning shot.
Crew head coach Robert Warzycha said Tuesday that the 30-year-old 'keeper is progressing well but it is too early to tell if he will be cleared for the Revolution game.
"If there's any question about his injury we're going to save him," Warzycha said.
The coach is more optimistic that midfielder/defender Agustín Viana could be available for a MLS game for the first time since suffering a strained hamstring on April 27. Viana returned for 58 minutes against Dayton and played the second half vs. Wigan.
"I've had two weeks of training at 100 percent and everything is okay," Viana said.
Meanwhile, Warzycha said defender Eric Gehrig will miss two weeks due to a sprained ankle.
