Injuries are part of the game. From pulled muscles to torn ligaments, soccer puts a lot of wear and tear on an athlete's body. It happens to every team, but the Crew are snake bit in 2012. They already have two players out for the year, and two more haven't seen any action this season.
Soccer is a game where most coaches seek lineup consistency, but the Crew coaching staff has had to play the second, third, or even fourth choice players. This has had a big impact on the team's performance, but it's also given some players a chance to shine.
A Lengthy List
The Crew were hit hard before the start of the season, with the injured list including several starters and key substitutes.
The team's starting goalkeeper since 2007, William Hesmer was lost for the year right as the season opened. Hesmer played 32 games in 2011, but won't see a minute of action while he recovers from microfracture hip surgery.
Forward Tommy Heinemann suffered a season ending knee injury after seeing only 5 minutes of action.
The news is slightly better for defenders Julius James and Rich Balchan. James had off-season shoulder surgery and suffered a collapsed lung during his recovery, while Balchan had pre-season hernia surgery. James started 31 games, Balchan 16; both haven't played a minute yet this year and are only now getting back to training.
Off-season acquisition Carlos Mendes made his season debut last Wednesday in Seattle after a pre-season leg injury and a lengthy recovery.
2012's key breakout player, Dilly Duka, came up with a hamstring issue 12 minutes into the team's first game, and then missed 7 games while playing only 132 minutes so far.
Veteran Danny O'Rourke missed time in early April, forcing more lineup shuffles. The team lost both of their starting forwards as Olman Vargas and Aaron Schoenfeld were both injured in the late April loss to Vancouver. Starting midfielder Kirk Urso picked up a thigh injury later that week.
Captain Chad Marshall suffered a blow to the head in early May while training, and is suffering from a concussion. Marshall's history with concussions means there is no timetable for his return.
Five expected starters have missed significant time this year, and even more key contributors have been out of action. Over a third of the roster was listed on the injury report. It's nearly impossible to guess the lineup sheet with so many players out and the team struggling to find enough players.
New Chances
Coach Warzycha has had to look further down the roster, as the team is counting on five players who are playing at the MLS level for the first time. These five have played over 1,600 minutes combined this year.
Four of the five are rookies who were playing college soccer last fall. Kirk Urso made the team as a Supplemental Draft pick, starting five games in defensive midfield. First round draft pick Ethan Finlay has already made 9 appearances at forward and on the wings before joining the injured list. Schoenfeld started two games at forward. Fellow rookie midfielder Kevan George made his debut in relief this past Wednesday in Seattle after flying out to replace Milovan Mirosevic.
Even players who have struggled to get playing time earlier in their career have seen their number called. Third-year defender Josh Williams hadn't made a league appearance since signing with the team in 2010, but has now started six straight games. He has led a defense that has given up only five goals during their current 6 game unbeaten streak. It's an impressive record for someone who started the year sixth on the depth chart.
Reaping the Benefits
There is an expected drop off when a starter goes down with injury, but the Crew's replacements have rarely looked overmatched. The super subs have kept the team in the playoff race through a third of the season by scratching out results.
The Crew may not have the sterling records of New York, San Jose, Kansas City, or Real Salt Lake, but they still are fifth in the Eastern Conference and have a three week break coming up. Several of the players expected to lead the team this year will be back soon, and the Crew will be adding forward Jairo Arrieta in late June.
No one on the team wanted to be hit with injuries, but it's had the unintended benefit of battle testing the entire depth chart. The coaching staff now have players all over the field that are hungry and ready to play with the first team. The hope for fans is that it's going to make for a stronger team as the Crew head into the summer stretch.
