HOUSTON – Tony Cascio’s Houston Dynamo debut was cut short in the 56th minute against the New England Revolution. Now the club is on watch to see when the newcomer will be back and ready to go.
Head coach Dominic Kinnear said after Saturday’s game that Cascio twisted his right knee after a quick collision with Chris Tierney, but not before the winger had impressed with his role in what would become a 4-0 drubbing of the Revs. Cascio was absent from training Monday and Tuesday, but Kinnear confirmed the injury is considered day-to-day and not long term.
“We’re keeping him out of practice right now, and we’re hoping he can join us later in the week,” Kinnear told MLSsoccer.com on Tuesday. “I play it by ear. Sometimes you get good news, and sometimes you get bad news. So on a Tuesday with our trainers and some time, fingers are crossed.”
Getting the attack-minded winger back would be a good thing ahead of Saturday’s game against the Montreal Impact (8:30 pm; MLS Live).
If Cascio can’t go, a like-for-like replacement could be Andrew Driver. The Scottish winger re-signed this offseason and can provide the same type of high work rate along with the willingness to attack. That move would leave Boniek Garcia in the middle of the field, where he shined Saturday by scoring a goal and helping Houston’s attack go.
Another adjustment if Cascio can’t go in week two could see either Servando Carrasco or Warren Creavalle introduced into the mix with Garcia moving to his customary wide position. Both players are coming back from injuries; Carrasco from a right ankle sprain, while Creavalle is working his way back from offseason surgery on both knees to relieve tendonitis.
Of the two players, Carrasco is likely closest to being able to contribute in a starting role as Creavalle returned to full training just last week after missing all of preseason.
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“It’s hard to tell right now,” Kinnear said about the pair’s fitness level. “This is the first Warren’s really stepped in. Servando was fine before he got hurt. It’s good to see them out two days in a row for both of them without any problems.”
Carrasco suffered his injury in a game against D.C. United the last week of preseason and has been training with the club since last Thursday.
“It’s been pretty seamless,” Carrasco said about getting back into a rhythm. “There are no illusions here, if I want to play and if I want to step on the field I have to play and compete. They tailor a workout depending on the injury you have. … So you still get some level of cardio. It’s nice to get touches on the ball and be a little sharper and that’s what this week is for.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.
