BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The injury bug just keeps biting Chicago.
Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos revealed on Wednesday that winger Patrick Nyarko (concussion) and right back Tim Ward (calf strain) will join midfielder John Thorrington (quad strain) and forwards Collins John (gastrointestinal illness) and Calen Carr (quad strain) on the list of players unavailable for Thursday’s match against Real Salt Lake.
Nyarko, who has started all 13 of the Fire’s league matches, took a knee to the head in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Columbus and hasn’t trained since.
“He has a concussion… and the doctors tell me its necessary [for him] to rest,” de los Cobos said. “Maybe the next week he’s ready to play, but not tomorrow.”
De los Cobos didn’t say who would replace Nyarko in the starting lineup, though it is likely that midfielder Mike Banner will slide into Nyarko’s familiar slot on the wing with a reserve (Corben Bone? Peter Lowry?) filling in for Banner in the center of the field.
Ward, who hasn’t played since May 8th due to a calf strain, has taken part in full training for the better part of the last week. And though he told MLSsoccer.com that he’s ready to go, de los Cobos is taking a more cautious route, electing to give the 23-year-old a little more rest before he returns to action.
“Tim is improving much,” de los Cobos said. “I think he’s very close to return. I don’t want to make a mistake for this guy because he has a very severe injury but maybe next week we can [use him in a match].”
Chicago defender Dasan Robinson could join Ward and Nyarko on the sidelines for Thursday’s match. The right back is struggling with a hamstring injury and told MLSsoccer.com on Wednesday that he will “probably not” be ready in time for Thursday’s match.
De los Cobos said that rookie defender Steven Kinney will start if Robinson is unable to play.
Another player dealing with an injury is forward Brian McBride. De los Cobos said that McBride, who injured his leg against Columbus, won’t start against RSL but could be used as a sub.
“McBride maybe is available but I don’t want to start [him] tomorrow,” de los Cobos said.”I think that I need to give [him] a rest tomorrow. He will be in the bench, maybe [he’ll come in] during the second half.”
Reserve striker Stefan Dimitrov will start in McBride’s place.
One last Fire player dealing with an injury is midfielder Justin Mapp. Mapp, who missed the last two games with a quad injury, should be available for Thursday’s match.
“I don’t know if he’ll start but he’s ready,” de los Cobos said of Mapp. “For sure he’s in the [gameday roster].”
