Injury Analysis and Updates (including Etcheverry)

By: Dave Martinez | April 24th, 2008

The Bulls are in for quite a test this season if the first three games are any indication.

Through 3 games, we have had 7 relevant injuries and a red carded player in Jeff Parke.

That equals roughly 14.5 missed games by individuals on this team in 3 games. 15.5 if you include Parke.

Here is the breakdown:

Juan Pablo Angel

He misses the second game of the season and is taken out of the 3rd by halftime. Original reports state that it was a sore hammy, but upon further review, it is being called “nerve related” and is seeing a specialist for the injury. He is expected to miss the San Jose game and return for the Maple Leafs

Dane Richards

Dane is back in training this week after he was nearly molested by a bunch of rookie Austrians. We are looking at a 2-3 week return.

Hunter Freeman

Freeman was quoted by Ives saying that he expects to see minutes sooner rather than later - probably against the Maple Leafs. We keep our fingers crossed.

Eric Brunner

Training with a giant Dema mask on, Brunner is looking for minutes as he may be ready to go.

David Roth

The rookie is about 4 weeks off from being game ready. And with people dropping like flys, it couldnt come any sooner.

Jozy Altidore

Though more precautionary by Osorio than anything else, Jozy did miss a game to play with the reserves and prove his health (as is Osorios policy)

Marco Etcheverry

And here is the newest member of this distinguished group. Reports out of Montclair state that Marco will be missing 4 weeks with an LCL injury.

NOW WHAT!?!?!?!?

Well, I will leave the indepth stuff for the pregame preview. But I will say this - dont be surprised this Saturday if we are starting a few people that will earn their first starts for this season.

- Chris Megaloudis. He is from my neighborhood and is a footie legend there. He is electric, exciting and would add a great dimension to the attack if permitted to play.
- Mike Magee. Some people just need a shot to prove what they can do. Magee filled in so nobley for Guevara 2 seasons back. If he can recapture some of that magic and build on his game, we will have the playmaker we were looking for.

I would look for Eric Brunner to enter the game late as well.

Here is what could be the starting XI