FRISCO, Texas — FC Dallas’ 2-2 tie against the New York Red Bulls last Thursday proved to be a very costly point, as the Hoops lost at least three starters and will head into their match shorthanded against New England at Frisco on Wednesday night.
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Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman (strained right MCL) and midfielder Daniel Hernandez (pulled left hamstring) both left with injuries and won’t be available to face the Revolution.
A third, flank midfielder Brek Shea, was sent off in the first half against New York and will be serving the first game of a two-game suspension for the red card recieved after a dangerous tackle on New York's Chris Albright.
FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman confirmed Monday that neither Hartman nor Hernandez will play against the Revs.
“I don’t expect to see either of them out here on Wednesday,” Hyndman said. “[Hernandez is] feeling a lot better. Like most hamstrings, there is a point of recovery and not really a point of recovery where you come back too soon, get it re-injured, and make it worse. We will definitely have to keep our eyes on his progress.
“Kevin with the knee strain, I don’t see him out here on Wednesday either," he added.
Hernandez had an MRI on Friday afternoon and the FCD coach said his team captain will probably be out two to three weeks. Hartman is also expected to miss at least two weeks with his injury.
With the three regulars out, Hyndman will have at least that many new starters. So far, he has decided that Dario Sala will replace Hartman in goal.
As for Hernandez's and Shea's replacements, those are still calls Hyndman has yet to make.
Speedy Honduran Marvin Chavez looks to be the favorite to fill in for Shea on the left side, while rookie Eric Alexander should be the top pick to start at holding mid for Hernandez.
Midfielder David Ferreira will likely wear the captain’s armband in Hernandez’s absence.
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Center back George John, who has missed the last two games with a strained hamstring, worked on side drills during Monday’s session. Hyndman said the team would have to take a wait-and-see approach on his return.
“We have to be a little bit careful that we don’t ask him to do the same routine again [that got him hurt last year],” Hyndman said
Fellow center back Ugo Ihemelu remains out with a concussion he suffered on Aug. 8 against Philadelphia.
“He’s getting closer,” Hyndman said. “It’s killing him not being able to be out here. It’s killing me that he’s not out here. I think it’s one of those things we have to handle very, very cautiously.”
Pool ‘Keeper Arriving
With Hartman out, FCD will have to bring Chris Sharpe from the league’s pool of emergency goalkeepers to serve as Sala’s backup. Sharpe, who has been a pool ‘keeper for the last few years, has spent his time training in Colorado and will arrive on Wednesday.
