FCD sorting out injury troubles
Sala progresses; McCarty needs more time to heal
FCD interim head coach Marco Ferruzzi said third-year midfielder Dax McCarty, who is still recovering from sports hernia surgery just a few weeks ago, will likely not be available for the Hoops this weekend. The Generation adidas player led FCD with seven assists in 2007 but has only played in six matches this year, four of them starts and has one assist.
McCarty last played for the Hoops in the 0-0 draw at San Jose on May 3, coming on as a substitute in the 69th minute. McCarty's last start came on April 24, when FCD lost to New England 1-0 at Pizza Hut Park.
"Dax got through part of his workout with our training staff and he joined us in the warmup," Ferruzzi said. "We felt like today, he might get out there and do some neutral stuff for us. But he wasn't able to advance through the rest of his workout. I wouldn't say he's taken a step back, but he didn't advance and that's OK."
Ferruzzi admits he isn't worried because he is looking at McCarty's situation from a bigger picture and only wants his young midfielder back when he's at 100 percent to avoid any additional setbacks.
"The idea with Dax is that he comes back, comes back fit and comes back one time," he said. "We don't want to keep putting him into situations where he drops back. It's frustrating for him because he wants to play. He just wants to get out there on the field and play."
McCarty was part of the U.S. under-23 team for the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament and figures to be in the plans of head coach Peter Nowak for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China later this summer. But he needs to return to full health and fitness first.
"Everything about Dax is about what he's going to bring to the table in the future. He's got big things going on this year with the Olympics," Ferruzzi said.
However, the news is much better for goalkeeper Dario Sala, who missed Sunday's 2-1 loss at Colorado because of a hip injury. The Argentinean suffered the injury in the waning moments of a 2-2 draw with Houston last Wednesday in Frisco but should be ready to make his return between the posts in New England.
Third-year 'keeper Ray Burse, who has been on loan to USL First Division side Portland for the entire 2008 season, took Sala's place in goal on Sunday and played fairly well, allowing two goals in the loss but making a number of stops to keep the scoreline from being much worse for the Hoops.
Before missing Sunday's match, Sala had played every minute for FCD in goal so far this season. He had a goals against average of 1.50 and a record of 3-3-4 with three clean sheets.
"Dario [Sala] is good," Ferruzzi said. "Everything has checked out clear from last week. I think his hips were out of position. He's been getting treatment from the chiropractor and has been cleared by the doctor in terms of any long-term issues. He's working himself back.
"I think he took some handling today," Ferruzzi added after training Tuesday. "He will get a little bit more aggressive tomorrow. I think he'll be fine. I haven't spoken with [head trainer] Josh [Watts] yet but think he will be fine. So, I would call him probable."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
