COMMERCE CITY, Colo. ā Embattled with injury, Designated Player forward Shkelzen Gashi has yet to make a competitive appearance for the Colorado Rapids in 2018.
That could all change soon.
The Swiss-Albanian has participated fully in team activities over the past week and is available for this weekendās match against Toronto FC (3 pm ET | CTV - full TV & streaming info).
āI think heās close,ā Rapids head coach Anthony Hudson told MLSsoccer.com this week. āLast week was his first full week and today was a good day for him. He just needs to keep getting more days like this under his belt. Right now, heās available for selection but heās been doing well.ā
Gashi suffered a calf strain at the start of the Rapidsā preseason that has precluded him from all of Coloradoās matches this season, including the clubās Round of 16 Concacaf Champions League series with Toronto back in February.
It's the latest injury during Gashiās tenure in Colorado, following a 2017 campaign where he appeared in just 17 matches (12 starts), producing just two goals and an assist along the way.
That decrease in production prompted Gashi to undertake an intense offseason training regimen. In an unfortunate turn of events, the injury bug struck the midfielder once more shortly after reporting to camp.
āIt was really hard because I worked hard for three months in the offseason, I came back in really good shape and I said āThis year is going to be fire. Itās going to be great,āā he said.
Despite the setback, Gashi said he maintained the same positive attitude throughout the recovery process.
āItās about your mentality and injuries can make you stronger,ā he said. āAt the end of it, you begin to enjoy the small things again like just being on the field.ā
Itās yet to be seen where the Rapids DP will slot into Hudsonās preferred 3-5-2 formation, but Gashi expressed a willingness to play any of the front five positions.
āTo be honest, I just want to be on the field,ā he said. āI think when Iām ready, I can help the teamās quality. In the last 20-30 minutes of games, we have to create more chances, so thatās what Iām here for.ā
The conversation with Hudson regarding lineup decisions will occur later in the week, but itās one Gashi is looking forward to.
āWeāve had great conversations together,ā he said. āI know what he wants and he knows me, so we are on the same page. A good Gashi, a healthy Gashi is good for the team and it helps everybody.ā