New York Red Bulls striker Macoumba Kandji is set to miss two to three months after undergoing surgery for a broken foot.
Kandji suffered a fractured fifth metatarsel during team practice on Tuesday. Kandji had started all four games for the Red Bulls, but will now be sidelined until summer. He has been plagued with injuries ever since joining the team in 2008.
The Red Bulls will now have to turn to newly-signed striker Salou Ibrahim, who struggled in his first start for the team in the 2-1 win vs. FC Dallas. The Red Bulls are still trying to finalize the move for English striker Luke Rodgers, who could challenge for a starting role. Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe has also stated that Danish midfielder Brian Nielsen could also play as a second striker if needed.
Here are some other stories that emerged on Wednesday:
Red Bulls to host Manchester City, Tottenham and Sporting Lisbon
The New York Red Bulls will host the inaugural New York Football Challenge in late July and the participating clubs have been identified as Manchester City, Tottenham and Sporting Lisbon. The three teams will join the Red Bulls in a four-team competition that will take place July 22 to July 25 at Red Bull Arena.
The tournament is the second event featuring the Red Bulls and international competition to be announced in recent days. The Red Bulls are scheduled to play Juventus on May 23rd.
Chicago Fire to face AC Milan
The Chicago Fire will take on AC Milan at a friendly at Toyota Park on May 30th.
The meeting will mark a rematch of a friendl played at Soldier Field in 2005. AC Milan won that match, 3-1.
——————–
What do you think of these stories? Who do you see picking up the slack for Kandji? Excited about the New York Football Challenge? Think the Fire can beat Milan this time?
Share your thoughts below.