All Sporting KC’s Injuries and Timetables for Return

Whether you want to blame the recent run of form on injuries or not, it’s unmistakable that Sporting Kansas City are suffering. For Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Atlanta United, Sporting KC couldn’t even fill out a full bench. They only dressed 16 of a possible 18 players. Let’s break down each known injury (and speculate about some other injuries) and the timetable for return.

Matt Besler

Injury: Hamstring strain (against the San Jose Earthquakes on April 20th)

Injury Announced: April 23rd

Injury Length: 2-4 Weeks

Approximate Return: As early as this week

Two weeks have already passed. I suspect it’ll be closer to four weeks which would mean Besler would miss the D.C. United and Vancouver Whitecaps games. Don’t rush him back and risk injuring his hamstring.

Ilie Sanchez

Injury: Calf Injury

Injury Announced: April 26th

Injury Length: Unknown

Approximate Return: Technically he’s back

For two straight games he’s started on the bench because he wasn’t deemed healthy enough to start but he entered in the second half in both games. Maybe he needs a full game off to get 100% healthy considering he didn’t practice all week.

Andreu Fontas

Injury: Calf Injury

Injury Announced: April 27th (official injury report)

Injury Length: Unknown

Approximate Return: Unknown

After the injury was announced on the 27th of April, Fontas played that day (possibly aggravating his injury). He then missed practice all week and sat out the Atlanta United game.

Graham Zusi

Injury: Oblique Injury

Injury Announced: During the FS1 broadcast

Injury Length: None?

Approximate Return: He played Sunday

I speculated last week that Zusi might have an injury because his performances have been off. Then lo and behold it gets announced on the FS1 broadcast and he’s visibly holding his side after his shot in the opening moments of the match. He probably needs to find the way to the bench until he’s healthy as he’s not helping right now.

Wan Kuzain

Injury: Ankle Injury

Injury Announced: May 5th

Injury Length: Unknown

Approximate Return: Unknown

It was announced on Twitter just before the game but wasn’t on the official injury report. He’s also not on the Swope Park Rangers injury report. If he plays Monday for SPR, maybe it’s not that bad. The initial tweet said it was minor and aggravated on this past Friday (May 3rd).

Gerso Fernandes

Injury: Broken Left Wrist

Injury Announced: May 1st (suffered in New England Revolution game on April 27th)

Injury Length: 4-6 Weeks

Approximate Return: Late May to Mid June

Despite note needing a wrist to play soccer, apparently Gerso will be out at least one month. Obviously he can play before it’s fully healed with some sort of protection but playing too soon must entail extra risks.

Erik Hurtado

Injury: Knee Surgery

Injury Announced: March 20th

Injury Length: 2-3 Months

Approximate Return: Late May or June

Various media outlets have mentioned Hurtado is ahead of pace. It’ll be interesting to see if he can make it back by the end of May when SKC have back-to-back games against Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy that are just days apart. Nemeth may need a rest.

Roger Espinoza

Injury: Knee Injury (PCL)

Injury Announced: April 23rd

Injury Length: 2-3 Months

Approximate Return: Late June or July

Maybe the most important name on the list. It’s hard to say how bad it will be by the time Espinoza is back but in the three games since he’s been out they are 0-2-1.

Jimmy Medranda

Injury: Knee Surgery

Injury Announced: May 20, 2018 (nearly a year ago)

Injury Length: Year Plus

Approximate Return: June or July

Thad Bell reports that Medranda has been practicing, though the level of participation is unknown.

Jaylin Lindsey

Injury: Knee Surgery

Injury Announced: April 1st

Injury Length: 4-5 Months

Approximate Return: August or September

If Graham Zusi is playing hurt, this team could really use Lindsey, who it’s rumored was injured in some sort of off the field incident. Nicolas Hasler is available now at right back and he probably needs to get on the field.

Rodney Wallace

Injury: Hip Surgery

Injury Announced: April 23rd

Injury Length: 4-6 Months

Approximate Return: Late August to Late October

Wallace got just 27 minutes of MLS play in 2019. He’s on a one year deal so you’d have to imagine if roster space is needed he can go on injured reserve or be released with some sort of injury settlement.

International Duty

In addition to all the injuries, it’s worth mentioning that international duty is impacting Sporting KC as well. 16-year-olds Gianluca Busio and Tyler Freeman are away with the United States U-17 Men’s National Team for the CONCACAF Championship. That tournament runs through May 16th if the US go that far. That would leave them both out the next two games at least.

Additionally, there is a FIFA break coming up in the middle of June. The CONCACAF Gold Cup will be taking place, though no SKC players are likely to be selected for that. Also going on is Copa America 2019, the Africa Cup of Nations 2019 (and Rwanda and maybe Abdul Rwatubyaye are in the African Nations Championship in late July and early August) and of course friendlies all around the world.

UEFA Euro Qualifiers are also going on which includes Scotland and Hungary. Sporting KC play Toronto FC on June 7th before Scotland and Hungary play on the 8th. That could mean Johnny Russell, Krisztian Nemeth, Botond Barath and Daniel Salloi could all be in jeopardy of call-ups.