BRIDGEVIEW, Ill -- The Chicago Fire backline will likely look a little different at Sporting KC Saturday than it has in the previous first two matches after it was revealed Thursday that defender Steven Kinney would be out following a quad strain suffered in last week’s 1-0 defeat to New England.
“It just happened towards the end of the game, I felt a little pop in my quad,” Kinney said.
With the Fire having used all three subs by the 66th minute, Kinney was forced to soldier on through the final moments of the match.
READ: AthletiCo Injury Report
Coming off of a two-year injury layoff due to a ruptured Achilles, Kinney’s mind immediately pondered that injury.
“I was just happy it wasn’t my Achilles. I was just thinking ‘hopefully this isn’t too bad’ and I could battle through the last few minutes. The doctors said what they said and so the injury isn’t a big deal.”
Fire head coach Frank Klopas confirmed Saturday that Kinney should only be out 7-10 days.
Logan Pause Trains in Full
As was reported on Tuesday, Logan Pause trained in full for the first time since suffering a quad injury in the lead-up to the team’s season opener at LA.
While it was a good sign to see the Fire captain back on the field, Klopas admitted its not likely the team will have him available for Saturday’s game.
“It was his first day back training today,” said Klopas. “I talked to him afterwards and as much as he wants to, I think he’s still not there.
“We just have to be smart. The likelihood would probably be next week [vs. Chivas USA]. It’s his first day back and he’s not 100 percent.”
Friedrich Doing Well
Having flown back to Germany for treatment on his strained right hamstring, veteran defender Arne Friedrich is said to be doing well this week.
“I spoke to him yesterday,” said Klopas. “He told me he’s feeling better. If we look at the schedule and games coming up, I think we’ll be targeting the New York game to hopefully bring him back if everything goes well and there are no setbacks.”
So Who Fills in on the Right?
With Kinney and Friedrich out, Pause not quite ready and Jalil Anibaba presumably partnering with Austin Berry in the middle, the question of who will start at right back Saturday is a valid one.
“We’re thin in the back a little bit,” said Klopas It’s unfortunate because we have some injuries. I think there are some other guys that we’ve looked into with preseason: Mike Videira, Wells Thompson. Those guys can play out wide on the right side.
“I think those guys are ready to step in and help out.”
