Photo by ISIphotos.com
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
After more than a month of inactivity due to a hamstring strain, Frankie Hejduk returned to action as the Columbus Crew defeated Ohio State in the eighth annual Connor Senn Memorial Game, 3-1.
Hejduk, who had not played a game since the United States' 3-0 dismantling of Trinidad and Tobago in World Cup qualifying on April 1, entered the game in the 60th minute and showed enough during his half hour on the field to convince Crew head coach Roberty Warzycha that he is fully recovered and ready for his second start of the MLS season.
"It was a good start for him," Warzycha said to the Columbus Dispatch. "He didn't feel anything bad so I think he will be ready to go on Saturday (against Kansas City)."
Hejduk's return from injury, a hamstring strain (not a tear), comes just weeks before Bob Bradley and the United States begin training for a loaded summer schedule which includes two World Cup qualifiers, the Confederations Cup and the Gold Cup.
What do you think of Hejduk's return? Will he help the Crew earn their first victory of the season? Will a strong showing with the national team this summer make him the starter at right back over Steve Cherundolo? Think Hejduk is the answer at right back, or do you still think players such as Jonathan Spector, Frank Simek or Marvell Wynne might be better options come 2010?
Share your thoughts below.
We definitely need Franky back I just hope he is the pick me up that the Crew need
thanks
ThaDeuce,
LA Galaxy vs Real Salt Lake:
http://www.justin.tv/bkmelendez
DC United vs Kansas City Wizards:
http://www.justin.tv/guanakos
anyone have a link to the KC v DC game or the real v la game that is about to start?
frankie is a legend, he will be there come 2010
I don’t know what the perfect answer is, but I do know that if Bradley is a great leader and good decision maker then the more healthy right backs he has to choose from, the better. However, this could mean that Bradley doesn’t look elsewhere and he may be missing out on a good player instead of Hejduk.
So, we do know Columbus can beat a college team.
glad to see him back. He has been the best MNT player so far. If he goes down, we are in BIG trouble.
Chin up, ya’ll! I am pulling for Frankie as a starter for much of the coming year (based solely on what I saw of him vs. T&T- he can still stimulate our attack!)
Check out my predictions for the USMNT’s lineup in the coming months (PS- I have little insider knowledge and rely on Ives and his colleagues to make my educated speculations!)
http://www.fcearth.com/blog/2009/5/5/starting-xi-for-us-mens-national-team.html
He’s going to get healthy just in time to miss the next month with the Nats……LOL.
Never doubted him for a moment. If anyone can stimulate the Crew’s attack/defense, it’s him.
Hey, the Columbus Few finally won a game! Mind you, 3-1 over a college team isn’t exactly a stirling performance.
good for frankie, hopefully see him back in a nats uniform soon