While one wide midfielder looks set to make his return to the New York Red Bulls lineup, another is still in doubt.
Lloyd Sam and Ambroise Oyongo both missed the Red Bulls’ 4-0 defeat away to the LA Galaxy on Sunday because of hamstring injuries sustained in last week’s CONCACAF Champions League draw vs. CD FAS. Only Sam appears healthy enough to partake in Saturday’s important home game against the Houston Dynamo (6 pm ET; NBCSN, live stream at NBCSports.com), which has plenty of postseason implications for both teams.
“Lloyd is looking good, and Lloyd is expected, knock on some wood, to be back for this weekend,” said Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke in his weekly conference call on Tuesday. “His was a minor thing that we didn’t feel too comfortable taking a chance with.”
Sam, the just-turned 30-year-old right midfielder, suffered right hamstring tightness in last Wednesday’s scoreless draw in El Salvador before missing the Galaxy game at StubHub Center. It was just the second regular season match he missed this year.
Oyongo, meanwhile, looks set to skip his second game in a row for the Red Bulls. The left midfielder also sustained a hamstring issue in the Champions League bout with CD FAS, but his injury has been deemed a little more serious and the chances that he dresses Saturday appear grim.
“Oyongo’s situation is a bit worse,” said Petke. “He’s got what looks to be a decent hamstring injury. His [availability] wasn’t even a question for last game. … You never know. He’s young and he could have a heck of a recovery in the next couple days, but I’m planning on not having him again.”
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One player who definitely won’t be in uniform against Houston is Jamison Olave. The Colombian center back picked up his fifth yellow card on Sunday, and has been ruled out for New York’s first of three straight home games due to yellow card accumulation.
Petke will have to choose between Armando, Damien Perrinelle and Matt Miazga to fill in for Olave and partner with Ibrahim Sekagya in central defense.
“We obviously have more than enough to be able to pick from,” said Petke. “It’s about the next couple of days somebody stepping up and claiming that spot as theirs. I have a decent idea of who I’d like to use, but anything can happen in the next three days.”
Franco Panizo covers the New York Red Bulls for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached by email at Franco8813@gmail.com.
