HANOVER, N.J. – Nine months is quite the extensive wait for a homecoming.
But on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena, Chris Duvall will finally get the chance to make his long awaited return to the site of his greatest setback.
Rewind to last summer when the Wake Forest product was in the midst of a stellar sophomore season, things were looking up for Duvall. On the heels of netting a game-winning goal against local rivals New York City FC, Duvall took the field in yet another New York derby just days later, this time against the Cosmos.
But after suffering a crunching tackle in the later stages of the match, Duvall’s season was suddenly over in a flash, signaling the start of a long, arduous road to recovery.
“It’s something that I’ve been looking forward to for the last eight months or so,” he admitted. “It pushed me through the rehab knowing that end goal is to get back on the field at Red Bull Arena in front of our fans, so it’s going to be a really fun experience for me.”
With the current rash of injuries littered throughout the New York backline, Saturday night finally presents an opportunity to take the field in Harrison once again. And after seeing his first minutes of 2016 in a substitute appearance against the New England Revolution, Duvall looks to be the favorite to once again fill in for the injured Kemar Lawrence in the center of the defense.
“It’s been an adjustment getting comfortable there, but our whole coaching staff is very smart and organized,” Duvall said of his move from the fullback position to centerback. “They’ve helped me out a ton, so the adjustment happened quickly. Somehow they see everything; they’re on top of me when I take a step the wrong direction or fall asleep for a second.”
It may not be his natural position, but there is little worry that Duvall will be able to adjust and help to limit the Sporting Kansas City attack.
“This entire organization—myself included—believes that Chris is going to be able to play well wherever he’s at,” goalkeeper Luis Robles told NewYorkRedBulls.com. “Even last game, while there were rusty moments, once the game got flowing and he was able to get some sweat going, he did well and established himself. Going into this game, he knows that there’s going to be a different expectation for him, but he’s more than capable. The entire locker room knows he’ll be able to do what he needs to do.”
The road back to Red Bull Arena has not always been an easy one for Duvall, as progress appeared to be non-existent at times. But as Saturday night approaches, head coach Jesse Marsch couldn’t help but show his excitement at the prospect of seeing a healthy Duvall back on the pitch.
For Marsch, who helped to push Duvall along his journey, having his young defender back in the fold is a particular point of pride.
“The thing that you love about Chris more than anything is that he has life in him,” Marsch said. “He’s an energetic guy, he comes to work every day with a smile on his face, he’s a great competitor, he gives everything he has.
“It’s hard when you’re hurt, because you love the game so much and you want to contribute, and when you can’t be on the field, it’s not easy. Chris went through a lot of that at the end of last year, but coming into preseason, it was just so great to have him back in the group. The energy he brings every day is fantastic, and he’ll do whatever it takes to help his team win. If he features this weekend, I expect him to have a great game.”
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