KANSAS CITY, Mo. – As they played yet another waiting game with injured center back Ike Opara, Sporting Kansas City got a pleasant surprise from another player working his way back after a long absence.
Right back Chance Myers, who has not played since tearing his Achilles tendon last May, took part in Monday's session and was joined by winger Graham Zusi, who has missed the last two matches with a hamstring strain. Both saw limited action, but Zusi's was more extensive – including taking part in a small-side game late in training, during which he played a neutral role.
“Both of them looked good,” Vermes said after Monday's training. “I was very happy with that aspect.”
Vermes has set June 1 as his target date for Myers to return to competition, and said Monday that he's still holding to that.
“I'm not in any rush to bring him back,” Vermes said. “He needs to get a steady flow of practices and then also recovery. That's the big thing with him.”
Left back Seth Sinovic, who missed Saturday's scoreless draw vs. Real Salt Lake with a groin strain sustained late in Kansas City's 3-2 win over Philadelphia on April 5, did not take part in Monday's drills and is listed as day-to-day.
“It's just going to depend on how he's doing,” Vermes said. “It's a muscle injury. We're not going to rush it. We'll take our time.”
Meanwhile, Opara, who missed most of the 2014 season with a broken right ankle, was scheduled for an MRI examination on Monday after injuring his left leg late in Saturday night's game. The club hoped to have the results back later in the day.
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“We're not going to speculate,” Vermes said. “We're just going to wait until the MRI comes in and everybody takes a look at what it might be.”
Matt Besler, Opara's partner in central defense, was called up by the US national team for Wednesday's friendly against Mexico but will rejoin Sporting in Los Angeles in time for Saturday's match against the Galaxy (10:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE). Vermes would not say who might get the start between Kevin Ellis, Erik Palmer-Brown and Jalil Anibaba – who has been starting at right back but can shift inside if needed if Opara is ruled out.
“Look, we have guys – and like always, we've got to make it work,” Vermes said. “That's just the way it is.”
Steve Brisendine covers Sporting Kansas City for MLSsoccer.com.
