particularly the rookies and trialists -- and how they operate within the team. Bradley has also been able to provide his players with valuable playing time in preseason scrimmages.
But on a conference call with the media Tuesday, the topic of discussion quickly shifted from the club's progress in the opening week of camp to the players who have not been able to be fully involved in training. Defenders Chris Leitch and Seth Stammler and midfielder Gilberto have yet to practice with the team. Also, goalkeeper Jonny Walker has only been able to work on his footwork, as his shoulder has not healed enough for him to participate in full contact practices and scrimmages.
Leitch, a veteran of three MLS seasons who underwent hernia surgery a week ago, is recovering steadily, Bradley said. Leitch will travel with the team on its trip to Ecuador at the end of February and could begin training with the club during their two-week stay in South America.
"Chris Leitch seems to be responding very well to the hernia repair ... and we'll see how he's feeling as we move along," Bradley said. "I think there's a feeling that he should be somewhere in the 3-4 week period. That may be optimistic, but I know that everything so far has gone very well."
Stammler, who had surgery to repair torn tendons in his left ankle in November, is working his way back to full health, but his outlook is a little murkier. Stammler was due to see his doctor Tuesday afternoon and has been working with the Metros' trainers to speed his recovery.
Walker may end up returning to full training at about the same time as Leitch. When Walker had surgery back in November, Bradley said, doctors said he would likely be ready to be back full time in 4-5 months. That would place Walker's return sometime in early March, Bradley said, adding that the 'keeper appears to be right on schedule. In the meantime, second-year 'keeper Zach Wells as gotten a chance to be the first choice, and he has impressed his head coach thus far.
"I'm very pleased with Zach's play. He's much further along. He feels confident," Bradley said. "I think he's reading situations better, and I'm very pleased with what we see from him right now."
Bradley said he also expects Gilberto to be back with the team soon. The Brazilian, who played well early in his first season with the Metros last year before suffering an ankle injury in June that hampered him for the rest of the 2004 campaign, has had some issues with his visa, and thus has been unable to join the Metros in training in Florida. Bradley said Gilberto will likely join the club during its trip to Ecuador, and he expects the player to be a consistent contributor once the new season starts.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
