May 19, 2010
EIGHT IS MORE THAN ENOUGH
Ailing Red Bulls limp into Crew match

Joel Lindpere has joined the walking injured on the Red Bulls for their Thursday encounter with the Columbus Crew. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images

No, the following isn't the Red Bulls roster. That's actual the team's injured list.

The Red Bulls will try to find a way to field a viable midfield and team when they take on the Columbus Crew in the battle for the MLS Eastern Conference lead at Red Bull Arena at 8 p.m. Thursday.

The MLS club has eight -- that's right, eight players -- sidelined for the confrontation between the two top sides in the conference. The Red Bulls (5-3, 15 points) lead the way, although the undefeated Crew (4-0-2, 14) is breathing down their necks, with two games in hand.

The injured includes:

* The central midfield tandem of Joel Lindpere (groin strain) and Carl Robinson (knee swelling)

* Left midfielder Brian Nielsen (right knee pain)

* Forward Salou Ibrahim (right hamstring strain)

* And the foursome that already is out -- defender Kevin Goldthwaite adductor surgery recovery), midfielder Austin da Luz Jones (fracture of his left foot), midfielder-forward Macoumba Kandji (broken fifth metatarsal) and forward Giorgi Chirgadze (hip surgery).