HANOVER, N.J. – The injury bug has long plagued the New York Red Bulls in 2016, but some key pieces are nearing full fitness in time for the home stretch.
While he has yet to miss a game, goalkeeper Luis Robles has suffered his fair share of bumps and bruises over the past few weeks. He battled through a knee injury to earn a shutout in Vancouver only to take a few more hits against D.C. United on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking with NewYorkRedBulls.com, head coach Jesse Marsch provided an update on Robles and the rest of the squad.
“Overall, we’re getting healthy,” he stated. “Luis is 100 percent, or close to it.”
While healthy, his inclusion in the starting lineup for Thursday night’s CONCACAF Champions League is not guaranteed, as backups Ryan Meara and Kyle Reynish could well get the nod in non-league play.
Whether starting or on the bench, Robles will be a part of Thursday’s squad, but midfielder Dax McCarty will not. After a lengthy layoff, McCarty returned to the Red Bulls lineup against the Vancouver Whitecaps, but missed out on last Sunday’s 2-2 draw with a groin injury.
But when it comes to a crucial matchup with Toronto FC at the weekend, Marsch is optimistic that his captain will be available.
“Dax is really close,” he said. “He won’t be available [for Alianza] but he should be ready for Sunday.”
Marsch also shed some light on the injured duo of Ronald Zubar and Omer Damari, both of whom are at different stages of the recovery process.
“Ronald is getting better every day, so he’s still a possibility for Sunday,” Marsch continued. “Omer is a little bit behind Ronald, so he probably won’t be ready for Sunday, but we’re not sure.
