By DAN KARELL
The New York Red Bulls are going to have to survive at least another two matches without one of their key starters.
Midfielder Dax McCarty has been sidelined since last Thursday with a minor tear in his right quadriceps muscle, and while the forecast hasn’t changed from then to now, Red Bulls manager Mike Petke is hopeful that McCarty will be able to face New England on May 11.
“I’m not counting on him for Montreal,” Petke said to MLSSoccer.com. It would be a huge plus and a bonus if we had him but I’m not counting on him that quick, to be honest with you. I think it would be stupid, unless I’m told by the doctors, ‘He’s absolutely fine,’ to bring him back that quick.
“He just had a slight tear and I was told two to two-and-a-half weeks and I believe that is around the Montreal game, so he still needs to get back in a little bit of fitness and get back with the team. I don’t project it.”
The Red Bulls played without McCarty for the first time this season in their 2-1 victory at Toronto FC last Saturday. The 26-year-old has started in all nine games he has appeared in for the club, scoring two goals and adding an assist.
Here are some more stories to check out around MLS on Wednesday:
FIRE TO HOST CLUB AMERICA IN JULY
For the third time in club history, the Chicago Fire will face Liga MX power Club America in a friendly match.
On Wednesday, the Fire announced that they will host America on July 10 at Toyota Park. It is the third consecutive season that the Fire have played a friendly match against a Mexican side, having faced Chivas de Guadalajara in each of the last two seasons.
America are currently at the top of Liga MX with just one match remaining in the Clausura season before the start of the playoffs. Former Fire designated player Cuauhtemoc Blanco was signed in 2007 from the Mexico City side.
TIERNEY FINED, SUSPENDED FOR TACKLE ON LE TOUX
Major League Soccer’s Disciplinary Committee announced on Wednesday that New England Revolution defender Chris Tierney had been suspended for one match and fined an undisclosed amount.
The suspension came from a 90th minute tackle on Philadelphia Union forward Sebastien Le Toux, which was just called a foul for the Union. The Disciplinary Committee said that the tackle was a “reckless challenge that endangered the safety of his opponent.”
Also on Wednesday, the Revolution recalled defender Bilal Duckett from the Rochester Rhinos of USL-Pro to provide cover for the suspended Tierney and the injured Andrew Farrell.
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What do you make of this news? How big of a loss is McCarty for the Red Bulls? Excited to see Club America play the Fire? Agree with the Tierney suspension? Think the committee should have suspended Gabe Farfan for his tackle on Andrew Farrell?
Share your thoughts below.
I have to wonder whether some of the commentors have ever been to the northern part of the US in winter. It’s colder than Europe, that’s why we don’t go to the international calendar. Plus, that would mean not playing in summer, when it’s most pleasant to watch soccer. Why do some ignore reality and advocate going to an international calendar just because that’s what Europe does?
how about MLS changes the season schedule when we get 24 teams ( But MLS will reach 26 or 28 teams in the future) when the league has enough warm markets and MLS plays thorugh nascar, NCAA basketball and football, NBA, NHL, MLB anyways. Do it from august- winter break from late december to february (after super bowl or during super bowl week) and end in May with MLS Cup. During the winter break have a Hawaii, Alaska MLS tournament or in non MLS warm markets. Then in the summer after the season ends, have a Super MLS Cup where the two past champions play for Super MLS Cup, European Japan Mexican friendlies. Its that simple, once we get at least 10 to 14 warm markets including southwest and southeast, MLS should go for the international calendar.
Yeah…Chicago should host some friendlies in Dec/Jan. That would be well attended.
why can’t MLS host friendlies during December/January when most leagues in EUROPE are on winter break. Makes no sense for us to have friendlies in the middle of the season no matter how profitable they are
The fact that Farfan didn’t receive a card the entire game was utterly ridiculous. He tackled Farrell late throughout the game and it basically took an open field tackle for anyone to notice what he was doing.
Agreed – and yet Tierney’s the one who gets the fine/suspension….
Even as a Revs fan I don’t necessarily disagree with the punishment handed down (it was a bit of a harsh tackle on the replay), but the fact that Farfan got NOTHING for a tackle that was just as bad, if not worse, is complete and utter BS