NYCFC’s injury list continues to grow

As history has shown us, it’s hard enough to take on Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a fully prepared, well-rested squad. But when several of your key players are listed as either questionable or even outright unavailable, things get a bit more complicated.

A day ahead of their Saturday matchup against the LA Galaxy, New York City FC released an updated injury list this afternoon. And it ain’t good.

Ebenezer Ofori — who has truly come into his own this season next to midfield stalwart Alexander Ring — has been ruled out for tomorrow’s game with a core injury. Ronald Matarrita, Alexandru Mitrita, and James Sands remain questionable with with various leg injuries, while Ben Sweat has somehow found himself as questionable as well with an adductor injury.

Those are five key players that can potentially miss a game against a Galaxy team that can, and probably will burn you if you aren’t on top of your game.

When it comes to speculation about Ofori’s replacement, I’m about completely out of ideas. I’d push for Keaton Parks or Juan Pablo Torres in the midfield — like I have for weeks now — but it’s obvious that Domé Torrent doesn’t fancy either seeing as Tony Rocha has played more minutes than Parks, while JPT is struggling to even get on a team sheet over the likes of reserve players like Daniel Bedoya.

Both Matarrita and Sweat being questionable hurts because they are both key players at the left midfield position. And considering how poorly Rocha has fared previously in wide positions, the only viable option in my eyes would be the 16-year-old Homegrown Player Joe Scally, who has yet to log a single minute at the professional level.

Based on his performance last week against the Montreal Impact, I feel it’s only fair that Sebastien Ibeagha get another start at the back-three should Sands be unable to play.

This is... not good.