Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath ruled out of game at FC Dallas
Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath will not play in Saturday's game at FC Dallas (8:30 p.m., The Comcast Network) due to a flareup of concussion symptoms.
Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath ruled out of game at FC Dallas
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath will not play in Saturday's game at FC Dallas (8:30 p.m., The Comcast Network) due to a flareup of concussion symptoms.
MacMath did not travel with the team to Dallas, according to a spokesperson for the Union.
He suffered the concussion when he took a knee to the head in the May 8 game at Seattle.
MacMath was listed as "out" on the Major League Soccer injury report published Tuesday of last week, which made it likely that he would not play against the New York Red Bulls this past Sunday. But he was upgraded to "probable" in the Friday injury report two days before kickoff.
As I watched Sunday's game, I did not notice anything especially discernable regarding signs of concussion after-effects. But it certainly is not unusual for after-effects to flare up at a later point, whether someone is cleared to play or not.
Taylor Twellman, the ESPN color analyst who helped launch a foundation to research sports-related concussions, reported on Twitter that it "looks like [MacMath] took a hit in training this week."
Twellman noted earlier that it "is a HUGE part that the player is open about how he feels not ALL on team/doctors/etc It has to be BOTH ways."
MacMath's absence means that either Chase Harrison or Chris Konopka will start Saturday night. Since MacMath has played every minute of every league game this season, I do not know who is more like to start. So don't bother asking.
(Sorry, but I had to. I know you would have asked and I honestly don't know the answer.)
At least the Union won't be the only shorthanded team in the game. As I noted Thursday, FC Dallas could be without many of its regular starters, including goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.
Here are the full injury reports for both teams as of Friday evening:
Philadelphia Union
Out: GK Zac MacMath (concussion symptoms); M Roger Torres (left knee surgery recovery); F Krystian Witkowski (concussion)
Doubtful: D Chris Albright (left big toe sprain)
Questionable: D Gabriel Farfan (right knee contusion)
Probable: M Gabriel Gomez (right hip flexor strain); M Michael Farfan (left groin strain)
FC Dallas
Out: D Ugo Ihemelu (concussion symptoms); D Alex Lee (right hip strain); M David Ferreira (right foot surgery); M Ricardo Villar (right foot strain); M Bobby Warshaw (right foot fracture); M Andrew Wiedeman (sports hernia repair)
Questionable: F Fabian Castillo (left ankle sprain)
Probable: M Carlos Rodriguez (left elbow dislocation)
We now return you to your regularly scheduled Friday night.
I don't understand the management of the Union. Without Califf and Albright doubtful, this team has 5 back line players. Only one of whom, Valdez, is a true center back. If Brek Shea knew he could have played against this squad, he would probably wouldn't have kicked the ball at the referee's assistant.— Mr.Mugwump- Dallas' best player Brek Shea is also out due to suspension, so that should help ( I know that was in your Thursday Post ).. Also, I definitely thought MacMath looked shaky in his decision making at times during the game on Sunday and I think every bit of that has to do with his concussion. He came out early at halftime to do some extra work (what I think he was really doing was trying to clear out the cobwebs) too. Concussions make it extremely hard to focus for long periods and make your reaction times slower than normal, 2 killers for a goalie at the pro level.— JamieJ
Reach Jonathan at jtannenwald@phillynews.com or 215-854-2330.
