KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Thursday was a good news, bad news day for the Kansas City Wizards.
The Chicago Fire's 5-2 win against the New York Red Bulls on ESPN Primetime Thursday means the Wizards are guaranteed a place in the MLS Cup Playoffs as a wildcard. But they might have to do without forward Josh Wolff for their last regular season game on Saturday in New England and the duration of their playoff run.
The injury has been labeled a fibular stress reaction in his lower leg. Basically, it's similar to a stress fracture, "but not quite to that point," according to Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo.
"He got a knock a couple of months back, and it just got progressively worse and worse to the point where before the New England game (on Oct. 11) it was a game-day decision because he wasn't able to train," Onalfo said. "He was able to go play (in that match), but he took a turn for the worse after he played. It's one of those things. He's in lots of pain."
After returning to Kansas City in mid-July following a year and a half at 1860 Munich in Germany, Wolff has tallied three goals and three assists in 12 games helping to rejuvenate the Wizards attack.
"It wasn't good news to hear. Josh is important to the team. Everyone sees the stuff he does for us offensively, and also defensively he works hard, which maybe a lot of people don't see," said Davy Arnaud, Wolff's closest friend on the team. "Having said that, we have to move on. Injuries happen, and we have to deal with it. And we have to go out there and get results."
Wolff sat out the Wizards' dramatic 3-2 home win against the San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday, witnessing Claudio Lopez's masterful goal and two assists performance at forward in his stead.
"A lot of guys are ready to step in when needed. Last week Abe [Thompson] and Claudio did a great job up there, and Ivan [Trujillo] was ready when Abe went down [with an abdominal strain]," said Jack Jewsbury. "We have 18 guys ready for the game. You never know when your number is going to get called, so everybody's got to be alert and ready."
Thompson is ready to go for Saturday, but the Wizards remain hopeful Wolff will be ready soon.
"That's why we have depth," said Onalfo. "It's unfortunate, but we're going to stay optimistic that [Josh] will heal quickly and be able to contribute at some point down the line."
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