KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Midfielder Oriol Rosell and center forward Claudio Bieler were both limited in training on Tuesday, three days after sitting out Sporting Kansas City's 2-1 away victory over Toronto FC, and each is still questionable for Friday night's home match against Philadelphia .
“We're trying to make the transition from the training room to the field. If they're ready, they'll be a part of the selection,” manager Peter Vermes told MLSsoccer.com. “But I'm not going to force them. I just can't do it.”
Bieler, the first-year Argentinian Designated Player who leads Sporting with 10 goals in league play and 11 across all competitions, is nursing a groin strain picked up in training late last week.
The durable Rosell, who has started all but two MLS matches this season as a defensive midfielder – and only missed one of those two due to a yellow-card suspension – has a left quad strain that he picked up in last week's 1-1 CONCACAF Champions League draw against Nicaraguan side Real Estelí.
Of the two, Vermes said, Bieler is farther along in his recovery process.
“Today he did a little training with the guys,” Vermes said, “so tomorrow maybe he'll jump into training a little bit more and go from there.”
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Rosell, who also has started four of Kansas City's five matches outside MLS play – including all three in CCL group competition – was more limited on Tuesday but said he still hopes to be back in action against the Union.
“I feel much better,” he said. “I did a little sprinting and got some touches on the ball. I feel great. Hopefully, tomorrow I will train a little with the group and we'll see. After tomorrow, we can talk a little bit about whether I'll be ready for Friday.”
Steve Brisendine covers Sporting Kansas City for MLSsoccer.com.
