Chicago Fire winger Patrick Nyarko won’t miss Thursday’s match at Portland after he was injured by a harsh challenge late in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Seattle.
“I’m alright,” Nyarko told MLSsoccer.com on Monday. “I went to training today and it’s not too bad; just a big bruise but nothing that I can’t fight through.”
The Ghanaian midfielder, who has one assist in three matches this season, went down in a heap after Sounders midfielder Servando Carrasco caught his left leg with a rough tackle in second-half stoppage time. He was subbed off shortly thereafter, while Carrasco was yellow carded for the challenge.
“I don’t know what his intentions were, I was always a favorite to get to the ball,” Nyarko said. “I got hit and then I just felt pure pain. I think the only thing that was very fortunate, the only thing that helped me was picking my leg off the ground so I didn’t have further damage. I think if my leg was on the ground a second longer I would’ve broken it.
“I’m moving on it. It’s going to get better ... and I’ll be ready for Thursday.”
Sam Stejskal covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at sam.h.stejskal@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @samstejskal.
