Here’s a roundup of the news from club camps on Tuesday:
5:11 pm ET - Slow buildup for Vela
LAFC's Bob Bradley says he's not about to rush defender Tristan Blackmon and reigning MVP Carlos Vela, after both saw their first minutes in a while during El Trafico last Sunday: "I don't think you'll see any crazy jumps in minutes."
He also added that "Mark-Anthony Kaye is still working on the side with the physios, but he's doing quite well. I don't know exactly the timetable for him to get back to training with the team ... Andy Najar is still out."
3:05 pm ET - Beitashour's Rapids debut might have to wait
Colorado Rapids head coach Robin Fraser was asked about free agent acquisition Steven Beitashour and whether he's any closer to making his Rapids debut:
"He's rapidly getting up to speed," Fraser said. "We do want to get him some minutes to get him back in since it's been a long time since he's played a game. Do I anticipate him playing this weekend? I don't know if I'd say I'd anticipate [him to play], but we are looking for opportunities to get everyone minutes."
Fraser will apparently be missing two players in central midfield: He said that Kellyn Acosta is nursing a bit of an injury and "we're not 100 percent sure how much he's going to participate in this game" and veteran Collen Warner, who came off after 28 minutes against Sporting, is "not great but he's not too bad. Just a little bit of a knock ... he seems to be getting better day by day."
2:43 pm ET - Crew injury update
A host of updates courtesy of Crew beat reporter Pat Murphy: Aidan Morris is out injured, Gyasi Zardes is potentially set to return and Josh Williams and Hector Jimenez weren't injury absences last weekend:
2:28 pm ET - Piatti still out for Toronto
If Toronto are going to get back in the win column and keep pace with league-leading Philadelphia, they'll have to do it without influential winger Pablo Piatti, who has linked up so well with Alejandro Pozuelo.
1:10 pm ET - Miles Robinson not medically cleared
Atlanta United cancelled in-person activities on Tuesday due to a confirmed positive COVID-19 result, but they did release an injury report ahead of their Wednesday match against rivals Orlando and Miles Robinson is unavailable after going 90 minutes against D.C. United on Saturday.
1:10 pm ET - Tajouri-Shradi out 10-14 days
The next time we'll see Ismael Tajouri-Shradi lacing them up for NYCFC will be Decision Day:
12:30 pm ET — No injuries for Inter Miami
Inter Miami head coach Diego Alonso confirmed that all his players are available for the match in Dallas and he shared his evaluation of the Western Conference side which they'll face for the first time:
"They're a really good team and I really like the way they play. It's a complete team. They attack well, defend well, press well ... It's a tough game.
“There’s no other thing on our minds than qualifying for the playoffs,” he continued. “All of our energy is in playing well and doing things well to be able to qualify."
11:56 am ET — Bou’s return to Revs “soon”
Carles Gil, recovered from a bone spur and not an Achilles injury (see below), returned to the New England Revolution lineup with a 27-minute appearance off the substitute’s bench Friday in Nashville and now it appears Gustavo Bou could be joining the playmaker in the near future.
Revs boss Bruce Arena said in a media conference call Tuesday the Argentine forward, who has been limited to one 18-minute stint in the last five matches, could return as soon as Wednesday’s match against the New York Red Bulls.
11:55 am ET — Jim Curtin showers praise on Fire
It’s been a long time since Jim Curtin donned a Chicago Fire jersey and patrolled the team’s defense and with the caveat that he’s all about the Philadelphia Union, the head coach of the Supporters’ Shield leaders was full of praise for new Fire coach Raphael Wicky and former Philadelphia players Fabian Herbers and CJ Sapong ahead of Wednesday’s match.
11:44 am ET — D.C. United’s Odoi-Atsem out with concussion
Right back Chris Odoi-Atsem is sidelined as he goes through concussion protocol, D.C. United interim coach Chad Ashton said in a video conference call with reporters Tuesday.
Odoi-Atsem suffered the injury early in a 2-1 win over Atlanta United Saturday, but played the full 90 minutes because he “didn't really realize he had it, but had symptoms postgame.”
11:08 am ET — Vermes contradicts Busio, Reid injury report
Sporting Kansas City could clinch a berth in the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs with a win or a draw against FC Cincinnati Wednesday (7:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info), and it appeared they'd have to do so without midfielder Gianluca Busio and central defender Winston Reid. Both players were listed as out for the game with undisclosed injuries on Sporting's official injury report.
That was news to Sporting KC boss Peter Vermes, who was asked about their absence on a video conference call Tuesday.
"I didn’t know they were both out, but, okay. They’re both available at the moment," Vermes said. "I don’t know — I didn’t say they were out. They’re not out.
"We took Reid off because he was feeling tightness, but he didn’t hurt anything. So he’s good. Busio has had a knock he’s been playing quite a few games with, that’s the biggest reason I took him out of the game. I saw he was struggling with the injury, I wanted to give him a little time off. Both guys could easily play in the game tomorrow.”
8:50 am ET — “Kaku will be ready” for Revs
New York Red Bulls interim coach Bradley Carnell told reporters Tuesday morning playmaker Kaku “will be ready” for Wednesday’s showdown against the New England Revolution after completing his quarantine period following international duty with Paraguay.
Kaku joins fellow midfielder Cristian Casseres, who rejoined the club for a 2-2 draw against Chicago Fire FC Saturday.
