ASN Injury Report
Johannsson, Garza, Boyd All in Injury Recovery Mode
February 05, 2016
5:00 PM
Brad Evans’ early withdrawal from the U.S. men’s national team’s January camp was labeled a “precautionary” measure. The Seattle Sounders captain was taken off at half time due to hamstring tightness in the action-packed 3-2 victory against Iceland. He was then rested for the Sounders’ 2-1 loss in a preseason match against Vancouver on Wednesday. Post-match, Evans told The Olympianthat he gives himself four-to-five days before he’s fully recovered.
Speaking of Iceland, Werder Bremen Striker Aron Johannsson made his long-awaited return to training on Tuesday. Johannsson has been out of action since Sep. 22 with what was later found to be a nerve irritation in his right hip. "I feel a lot better than before. I can do more, which is only positive. I will look to increase the intensity in the coming weeks, in order to get back in form. I'm finally back on track," Johannson told the club. He posted this on his Instagram account Wednesday:
One tier down in Germany, Red Bull Leipzig’s Terrence Boyd is going through intense rehab on his injured right knee and working hard on his comeback, the club told American Soccer Now on Tuesday. Fluid build-up from inflamation led to another operation in mid-October and set back his recovery from the procedure to fix his lateral meniscus the year before. No return date can be set for the striker’s return though.
Tim Howard missed Everton’s 3-0 win over Newcastle United on Wednesday after picking up a knock on his knee in training on Monday. The Toffees next face Stoke on Saturday and Howard is unlikely to feature, giving his understudy Joel Robles another chance to impress. “Joel has been working very hard behind the scenes and waiting for his opportunity,” Everton manager Roberto Martinez told the club today. “He has the support of everyone, including Tim Howard, who has been a big support for him.”
Stoke will still be without Geoff Cameron once again this weekend. The Massachuseetts native has now missed his side’s last seven fixtures and the injury woes at the Brittania have gotten so bad that the last center back standing is taking special precautions to keep away from the treatment table.
Minor ailments kept both Will Bruin and Ricardo Clark out of the Houston Dynamo squad that tied 1-1 with the Portland Timbers on Wednesday. The Dynamo continues its preseason on Saturday with a game against the San Jos Earthquakes.
In Liga MX, Tijuana defender Greg Garza posted the brloe photo of his rehab on Instagram. Teammate Alejandro Guido also features in the shot.
And finally, It was tough to hear Stuart Holden call his playing career to a close on Wednesday. The response and best wishes from fellow players and and the soccer community at-large reflects just how much he was appreciated for his strength of character as well as his ability.
Nick Kariuki is an ASN contributor. Follow him on Twitter.