CHESTER, Pa. – C.J. Sapong would love nothing more than returning to the Philadelphia Union lineup for Sunday’s game against his former club, Sporting Kansas City.
And a Union team that’s been ravaged by injuries would certainly love nothing more than to have the striker back in time for the nationally televised contest at Sporting Park.
But given the nature of the injury he suffered in Philly’s season-opening game a month ago – a concussion and fractured cheekbone – Sapong and the Union are being especially careful.
“Right now, there’s progress,” Sapong told MLSsoccer.com. “I still want to feel a little bit better when I’m exerting at maximum effort. But I’m still progressing every day considerably, in my eyes.”
Sapong went through a light training session Wednesday and planned to get fitted for a mask, which he’ll wear during games to protect his face. He said the “prime indicator” of whether he’ll be ready to travel to Kansas City – where he spent his first four MLS seasons – is how he feels during full contact drills in practice over the next couple of days.
Sapong also has to pass the league’s concussion protocol before he can play.
“All things are positive right now. But with head injuries and the seriousness that our league takes with them – as they should – it will be a day-to-day thing,” Union head coach Curtin said. “In terms of the actual injury to the face, he’s uncomfortable, but I think that he’s able to deal with that. That’s kind of a non-issue. It’s just the concussion protocol that we have to go through.”
Curtin said that Sapong is the only one of the Union’s injured players that could return, as Cristian Maidana (left MCL), Sheanon Williams (right hamstring) and Conor Casey (sports hernia) will join suspended midfielders Zach Pfeffer and Fred on the sidelines.
With so many players out, Sapong, if he’s available, would likely start up top with Fernando Aristeguieta, similar to what the Union did in their season opener before Sapong was forced off.
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“You know what you’re going to get with C.J.,” Curtin said. “He’s going to work very hard, he does a good job holding the ball, he’s athletic, he’s a threat on set pieces, very good in the air. So, yeah, we miss him. But at the same time, we have to be a team that can overcome injuries. The excuse of injuries and missing guys is a tired one.”
Sapong admitted it’s been difficult watching his team from the sidelines, especially because the Union have struggled to score in his absence. But despite the misfortune of getting hurt in the first half of his first game with a new team, the fifth-year pro is trying to stay positive.
“Things happen in a very interesting way,” Sapong said. “And I’ve learned through my career, especially the last couple of seasons, that the response is the only thing you have control of. I’m very proud of how I’ve responded to the situation, and I plan on continuing to respond in the best way possible.”
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
