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Well, this isn’t good.
Glenn Crooks — New York City FC analyst for WFAN — has reported that James Sands will miss Saturday’s match on the road against the Montreal Impact. The star defender apparently suffered a pulled abductor late in this past weekend’s game against Orlando City.
You can find Crooks’ full training report below.
Sands likely out according to Dome Torrent after #NYCFC training today in Orangeburg, NY. https://t.co/5U5uQS0bBy
— Glenn Crooks (@GlennCrooks) May 1, 2019
Sands has been crucial to NYCFC’s defensive backline since the Blues converted to a three-back formation weeks ago against Minnesota United, with brilliant results against the likes of Wayne Rooney and Nani to show for it. Replacing the 18-year-old prodigy should be a tumultuous task.
When it comes to potential “replacements” for Sands, Sebastien Ibeagha is obviously first on the list. Though, it wouldn’t be unheard of for Domé Torrent to shift Alexander Ring into the center CB role and replace him in the midfield with Keaton Parks or Juan Pablo Torres, both of whom we haven’t seen much of this season.
Anyone but Tony Rocha, please.