Daniel Royer is almost ready to return for the New York Red Bulls -- and could see himself on the 18-man gameday roster for the 2017 U.S. Open Cup Final, according to Head Coach Jesse Marsch.
Royer hyperextended his knee and suffered a bone bruise in early August at Yankee Stadium.
The Austrian has been training in full with the team over the last couple of weeks and is closing in on returning to the roster.
"I don’t think he’s ready to start but he’s an option for the 18," Marsch said.
The Red Bulls will have a tough decision to make due to the tournaments rules on international players, allowing only five on the 18-man gameday roster. Bradley Wright-Phillips and Felipe both have their green cards and do not count against the team's international limit.
"Looking at our international restrictions, you have to get the balance right," Marsch said. "The only way we can put Danny on the roster is if he’s 100 percent and I think he’s close."
The Alcatel MLS Player of the Month for July has 10 goals and two assists in 22 MLS games this season, including six in July. Royer also has one goal in Open Cup play, scoring the game-winning goal against New York City FC in the fourth round of play.
The Red Bulls face Sporting Kansas City in the Open Cup Final on Wednesday, September 20 at 9 PM ET in Children's Mercy Park. The game will be broadcast nationwide on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. It will also be available on New York Red Bulls Radio on Tunein.
