Frank Lampard missed New York City FC’s first match with the Chicago Fire this season because of a calf strain. He will also miss the second meeting because of that same injury.
For the fifth straight match, NYCFC will be without Lampard due to the calf problem that has been bothering him since preseason. Lampard is closing in on a return, but is not yet healthy enough to play in this Sunday’s home game against the Fire.
“He’s not going to be fit for the weekend,” said NYCFC head coach Patrick Vieira on Thursday. “I think we’re a couple of days away from his comeback, so he’s not going to be fit for this weekend.”
The 37-year-old midfielder has missed all four of the club’s matches to this point, including the 4-3 road win over the Fire in the season opener. His injury has forced Vieira to make due without one of the three Designated Players on NYCFC’s roster during the first month of the campaign, and has left Lampard frustrated and his team feeling sympathetic.
“When you’re talking about a player of his caliber, it’s always good and better to have him to be available to play games,” said Vieira. “I’m feeling for him because he’s a real champion and a true champion and he’s going through a difficult period because, of course, he wants to be on the field, he wants to train, and he wants to help the team.
“He’s going through a difficult period because he’s missed training and it’s not easy for him.”
NYCFC is currently 1-1-2 and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with five points, the same amount as the sixth-placed Fire. Vieira’s side has scored seven goals so far but also allowed just as many.
What do you think of Lampard missing another match for NYCFC? Wondering why his calf strain is taking so long to heal? Do you believe that he will be back on the field soon?
Share your thoughts below.
If he starts he will be Gerrard basically. Useless.
He’s better than Gerrard but with him and Pirlo in the middle there better be an actual defensive midfielder behind them. Does NYCFC have one of those?
Unless this is a training issue, you can’t put this on Lampard. Once he’s healthy enough to play, I wonder if Viera will feel compelled (like Kreis was) to start him over better options. That will determine whether NYCFC has any ambition or just wants to sell jerseys.
Unless this is a training issue, you can’t put this on Lampard.
Correct. I don’t fault Lampard for his “injury” (injury = vacationing in MLS stealing checks). The blame, instead, falls squarely on MLS for signing this type of player at this stage in their career.
This guy is a joke
Lol! It’s clear this guy is embarrassed to put put on that shirt!! He, along with the sh***y team is a joke! It shows how much of a professional Villa is. Poor guy, I feel sorry for him!
I’m a Union fan so I don’t really follow NYCFC… how many games has this paycheck stealer actually played in MLS? Serious question by the way… I can’t recall seeing him play at all
He played in a total of 10 matches last year (733 minutes) after arriving mid season. Can’t really say that he’s been even a decent return on investment.
Seems like the only time Fat Frank has actually stepped on the field for NYCFC was when he got nutmegged by Mike Grella.
In the running for the worst signing by MLS in league history.
I’ll only call him that if he goes to rehab that calf on a beach in Italy. What was that German’s name again? Signed with the MetroStars at the same time that the Fire got Stoitchkov.
Lothar Matthäus. Man, he was bad.
Top 3 worst signings in league history have got to be…..
Marques, Lothar, & Lampard.
There have been other bad signings, but these 3 really stick out to me.
I’m surprised. Lampard misses another game. Who would of ever thought that a 37 yr old player would miss so many games with nagging injuries?
IF MLS is so concerned with the perception of the League than MLS GMs need to stop bringing in players like this. Seriously how many matches has he actually played since signing with the League/Team.
LOL
I agree with the MLS hater on this one!