July 17, 2012
DEPLETED ROSTER
Marquez, Solli, Pearce, Meara not available for Red Bulls vs. Chicago

Ryan Meara will miss the Red Bulls' next two games this week. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images

By Kristian R. Dyer
BigAppleSoccer.com Contributing Editor

UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Coming off Sunday’s 2-2 home draw with Seattle where he made just one injury related substitution, Red Bulls coach Hans Backe now has the dubious task of preparing his team for Wednesday’s 1 p.m. match with Chicago.

It is a task made more difficult due to a depleted line-up. The Red Bulls will likely be without four starters for the match, all of whom form the core of the team’s defense this year.

Defender Rafa Marquez was undergoing a MRI for a calf injury on Tuesday, the same one he hurt while with the Mexican national team. Midifielder Jan Gunner Solli and defender Heath Pearce won’t be available until maybe this weekend and goalkeeper Ryan Meara has been ruled out by Backe for this week, which includes a Saturday game against the Philadelphia Union.

“Rafa is out, he has his MRI today, later this afternoon," Backe said. "Otherwise, [Jose] Angulo and Teemu [Tainio] have done two sessions in a row. Teemu you can probably guess needs a couple weeks to get ready."

Backe hopeful that Solli or Pearce are nearing a return.

“If we’re lucky perhaps one of these two can be ready for this Saturday game. The closest is Heath Pearce,” Backe said. “I think Jan needs another week.”

Meara, a rookie who has been a revelation in goal, also will be held out for the next two matches with a hip injury.

“Ryan is out for this week, 100 percent," Backe said. "I would guess for Montreal the next away game, the next weekend."

Wednesday represents the middle game of a three game stretch of afternoon games for the Red Bulls. With just two full days between matches in the searing heat, it is a challenge for the Red Bulls, especially with a player like Thierry Henry.

The team’s captain and designated player, Henry has played only four matches over the past two months but Backe thinks he can be ready to go play on Wednesday.

“He feels OK after the game. He hasn’t played that many games the last six weeks,” Backe said. “He needs minutes and he feels definitely to be available for the game tomorrow.”