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MLS Notes: Koevermans hurt, Frings returns, Davis out another match & more

Koevermans (Reuters Pictures)

Just when Toronto FC is on the verge of getting one Designated Player back on the field, another one goes down with an injury.

With Torsten Frings set to return from a hamstring injury, Dutch striker Danny Koevermans appears set to miss this weekend's clash with the Chicago Fire with a leg injury that he suffered in training.

TFC has not had its three DPs — Koevermans, Frings and Julian De Guzman — on the field at the same time once during MLS play this season, which is one of the many reasons the club is off to an 0-5 start. The defense is another main culprit, though Frings could come to the rescue after telling TSN that "I am a midfield player, but in my opinion it is better for the team if I play in the backline at the moment." 

Here are a few more items from around MLS:

DAVIS TO MISS ANOTHER DYNAMO MATCH

The Houston Dynamo aren't taking any chances with Brad Davis.

The 2011 MVP runner-up will miss his second straight game with a calf injury when Houston travels to Columbus, but he is expected to return next week when the Dynamo take on D.C. United, according to the Houston Chronicle.

With Davis out and Colin Clark still suspended, the Dynamo will again be shorthanded in the midfield, though Adam Moffat will return from his one-game suspension to pair with Luiz Camargo in the center of Dom Kinnear's formation.

Corey Ashe is the likely starter on the left with Davis out again.

DUDAR BACK IN TRAINING FOR D.C.

With the New York Red Bulls' unstoppable tandem of Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper coming to town this weekend, D.C. United got a boost with centerback Emiliano Dudar returning to full training.

Dudar had missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury that he suffered in practice, and with Dejan Jakovic (ankle) injured as well, D.C. was perilously thin at centerback to the point that Robbie Russell was forced to move inside against Montreal on Wednesday. 

Dudar's presumed return means that he and Brandon McDonald should be charged with trying to slow down the Henry-Cooper partnership in Sunday's first game of the 2012 Atlantic Cup.

DOYLE BLASTS DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE DECISION

San Jose Earthquakes general manager John Doyle was none too pleased with the MLS Disciplinary Committee's decision regarding Rafa Marquez.

The New York Red Bulls DP was given a three-game ban for his tackle that broke Shea Salinas' collarbone. Making matters worse for San Jose is that Marvin Chavez was suspended a match for his lunging challenge from behind on Roy Miller, something that irked Doyle because Thierry Henry did not receive any discipline for his studs-up challenge on Chris Wondolowski and because Wondolowski had been the subject of a similar foul against the Vancouver Whitecaps that also went unpunished.

"I’m very, very disappointed that Rafa Márquez only received three games, and that we lose Shea Salinas for eight weeks," said Doyle, who offered that Marquez should have been banned for at least five games. "I think that’s terrible for Shea, because he was playing great for us. And then the fact that Marvin Chavez – for him to get a game’s suspension for that, I don’t think that’s right, either. I totally disagree with the (Disciplinary) Committee."

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How big of a difference do you think Frings' return makes for TFC? Think Toronto's attack will be able to score on Chicago without Koevermans? Do you think Columbus can knock off the Dynamo with Davis out? Who do you see winning the Henry-Cooper/Dudar-McDonald battle? Do you agree with Doyle?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Marquez should have gotten more than 3. 3 would be OK if he were a first time offender, but he’s far from that. The one for Chavez is fair – no place in the game for a tackle like that.

    Reply
  2. Dear Dom Kinnear,

    Please do not start Je-Vaughn Watson. Also, please don’t use him as a sub.

    Sincerely,

    Every Dynamo fan

    Reply
  3. There’s certainly a double standard when it comes to discipline in the league, between the big-market teams with their big money DPs and the rest of the league.

    NYRB and LA Galaxy have enough trouble filling seats when their “stars” are playing. How many more empty seats would there be if their DPs are sitting out on suspensions.

    What a joke!

    Reply

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