CARSON, Calif. – With Chivas USA’s co-captains Sacha Kljestan and Jonathan Bornstein away on US National Team duty for the next few weeks, the Goats find themselves without veteran leadership and with two empty spots in the starting XI.
Helping to make Chivas USA’s upcoming games against Salt Lake, D.C. and New York a bit easier, however, is the return of some of their injured players. Maykel Galindo, Yamith Cuesta and Osael Romero are all back in training and could provide some much-needed reinforcements in the next few weeks.
“I’m feeling better every practice,” said Galindo on Tuesday morning. “It feels good to be back on the field, training with my team.”
Galindo had made three appearances for the Red-and-White in 2010 before suffering an ankle sprain in the team’s 2-0 victory over New York on April 10. The Cuban has been an important piece of the Goats offense, having netted 18 goals since arriving at the club in 2007.
Joining Galindo on the sidelines in early May was new signing Osael Romero. The Salvadoran midfielder had sprained his ankle just before the Chicago game on May 1, and is still working toward being fit for a full 90 minutes.
“I’ve put the injury behind me and I’m looking ahead,” said Romero. “Right now, the mentality is to get back on the field and back into playing.”
Romero has made two starts for the Red-and-White and is eager to get more minutes with the team.
“The team has been playing well,” said Romero. “I’m excited to get back out there.”
At the other end of the pitch, center back Yamith Cuesta had been unavailable due to having all of his wisdom teeth removed on Monday, May 10. The Colombian had started feeling pain during Chivas USA’s trip to Chicago and New England, and needed oral surgery to repair the problem.
“Cuesta is OK,” said Chivas USA coach Martin Vásquez. “After the oral surgery that he had, he’s good to go now.”
Chivas USA will also be thankful to have received good news about Justin Braun this week. The striker went down hard in the closing minutes of the game against Columbus and was thought to have sustained some knee damage, but an MRI on Monday confirmed that he has avoided any serious injury.
“It was good news with Braun,” said Vásquez of the Utah native’s MRI. “According to our [team] doctor, there’s no damage to the ligaments in his knees. We’ll see how much pain he can tolerate before Saturday and see where he’s at.”
All four players could play an important part of Chivas USA’s effort over the next three weeks and the Goats will be glad to have them.
“We need their help,” said Vásquez of his injured players. “But it’s up to them. That transition to full fitness can be short or long; it’s up to them and how hard they push themselves.”
