Red Bulls midfielder Seth Stammler has been ruled out of the team’s upcoming match against Kansas City on Saturday with a lower back injury while captain and midfielder Claudio Reyna is being listed as questionable.
The two starting central midfielders missed the Red Bulls’ 2-1 win against Los Angeles on Saturday but their potential absences would be felt far more against a Kansas City squad with a stronger central midfield.
Stammler suffered the injury in training last week, forcing him to miss his first match of the season against Los Angeles. Rookie Luke Sassano looks likely to step in for him once again.
Reyna isn’t alone on the Questionable list. Forward John Wolyniec (right hamstring strain), Sinisa Ubiparipovic (left hamstring strain) and Chris Leitch (left MCL sprain) are also listed as questionable for the matcha gainst Kansas City at Giants Stadium on Saturday.
The match will also mark the return of former Red Bulls head coach Bruce Arena. Currently a color TV analyst for the Kansas City Wizards, Arena will make his first appearance back at Giants Stadium since stepping down as head coach following the 2007 season.