UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Rafa Márquez just cannot stay off the New York Red Bulls’ injury report.
Márquez has been ruled out for Wednesday's clash with the Chicago Fire with a calf knock, and he is set to get an MRI on Tuesday afternoon to determine the severity of the injury. The Designated Player sustained the injury early in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with the Seattle Sounders before being subbed out. It is in the same calf he hurt while on international duty with Mexico last month.
On the positive side of things for New York, star striker Thierry Henry has been given the green light to play in Wednesday’s match (1 pm ET, watch LIVE online). Henry expressed his need for minutes after Sunday’s 2-2 draw, and his body has responded well despite that match being just his third since the international break ended in the middle of June.
“He felt quite OK after the [Sounders] game and he hasn’t been playing that many games the last six weeks probably so he needs minutes,” Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe told reporters on Tuesday morning. “He feels he’ll definitely be available for the game tomorrow.”
More good news came in the way of the returns of midfielder Teemu Tainio and forward Jose Angulo, both of whom trained for a second consecutive day on Tuesday. Neither will suit up against Chicago, but they could be available for selection in the not-so-distant future.
“Teemu, you can just guess, perhaps needs a couple of weeks to get ready,” said Backe. “Probably the same for Jose.”
Gaudette to get nod again
Bill Gaudette will have been with the Red Bulls a mere five days when Wednesday rolls around, and yet the game with the Fire will mark his second start for New York in that short span.
Incumbent Ryan Meara is still bothered by a hip injury, and did not train on Tuesday. Backe said his rookie goalkeeper is not expected to be back this week and that Gaudette is the preferred choice over youngster Jeremy Vuolo.
“Jeremy is not ready for MLS,” said Backe.
Amarikwa won't be signed after all
Red Bulls general manager and sporting director Erik Solér told the media prior to this past Sunday’s match that the Red Bulls were keen on signing forward Quincy Amarikwa, who had spent much of the last week training with New York. Backe said that is no longer the case.
“I don’t think we will sign Quincy,” said Backe. “I will have a chat with him probably later today or tomorrow. I think it could be when you sign a guy like [Sébastien] Le Toux, these guys [are] thinking, ‘Oops. How much minutes will I get with Thierry, Kenny [Cooper] and Le Toux?’ So I’m not so sure he wants to come now.”
Backe added that Amarikwa has offers from other teams within the league.
Other tidbits
Jan Gunnar Solli and Heath Pearce did fitness drills on the field after the team completed their brief training session on Tuesday morning. Neither will play vs. the Fire, but Backe said Pearce is a possibility for Saturday’s home game with the Philadelphia Union.
Meanwhile, Backe was asked about the status of acquiring a third Designated Player this summer and he refused to comment, telling reporters to talk to Soler about the matter.
