During his weekly press conference on Wednesday, Jim Curtin addressed the media regarding the status of the Union as they prepare for their road game in Toronto. Part of his press conference focused on injury-related news and what that would mean for the Union going forward.
Tranquillo Barnetta
Barnetta did not participate in Wednesday's morning training session and Curtin said his abscense was a result of swelling he was experiencing in his knee. During last Saturday’s match, Barnetta collided with another player resulting in inflamation in his knee.
In terms of the extent of the injury, Curtin did not seem worried and said he does not expect Barnetta to miss this weekend’s match. Curtin also mentioned that the team is carefully bringing Barnetta back on the field since he is a little sensitive to transitioning from turf back to grass.
Josh Yaro
Someone who will be absent in Toronto is Josh Yaro. In part because of the red card he was given in Portland, but also because he suffered a concussion during that match as well.
Yaro did not participate in team drills during training on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Curtin said that Yaro is currently going through concussion protocol with the training staff and is being evaluated. No further information was provided.
Maurice Edu
Not so much an injury report as a progress update, Curtin spoke briefly on Maurice Edu on Wednesday.
Edu played 60 minutes for Steel FC this past weekend and Jim Curtin has been pleased with his progression.
Curtin said Edu could be up for selection this weekend and the team will discuss the possibility of bringing him to Toronto throughout the remainder of the week.
He added that it looks like things are trending in the direction of getting Edu to “starting role in our 18 rather than playing more games with Bethlehem.”
