The New York Red Bulls are hoping that their defense will be at full strength against D.C. United this weekend, but that will depend on how two of their starters recover throughout the week.
The availability of center back Jamison Olave and left back Roy Miller for Saturday’s game at Red Bull Arena is unknown due to respective injuries to their quad and Achilles. Olave suffered his knock late in New York’s scoreless draw with the Philadelphia Union on Aug. 17, and Miller sustained his in this past weekend’s 3-2 road loss to Chivas USA.
“Olave, he’s doing good,” Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke told reporters on a conference call on Tuesday afternoon. “Whether he’ll be apart of the game or team this weekend is still up in the air, but there is a chance. We’re looking at getting him involved in close to half-training tomorrow, being warm-up, a little ball work, maybe a possession game and that’s the plan as of now.
“Roy Miller seems to be a bit better than we thought,” Petke added later. “He’s at the hospital right now getting an MRI on his Achilles. Nothing ruptured, just that he got stepped on and didn’t feel right. “
Another question mark for this weekend’s game is Connor Lade. The versatile second-year player is dealing with a persistent right knee problem that prevented him from traveling for the Chivas USA game and he might not be ready in time for the clash with United.
“Connor Lade continues with his knee to be feeling something, so I believe he is at the hospital right now getting looked at by our doctor,” said Petke during Tuesday's conference call. “He’s there right now or will be soon”
