KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The June 1 target date has finally arrived for Chance Myers' return to the pitch. But even after a year spent recovering from the Achilles tendon rupture that ended his 2014 season last May, it still could be some time before Sporting Kansas City's veteran right back sees match action again.
“He's in training, and he's going to continue to keep training,” manager Peter Vermes told reporters on Monday. “He's not 90 minutes fit, by any means, but he's made a lot of progress up to this point, and we're just going to keep going with the rhythm of him training like he's getting ready for a game on Saturday.”
Sporting host Western Conference co-leader Seattle this Saturday (8:30 pm ET; MLS Live), and Vermes – his roster hit hard once more by injury and international absences – has not ruled out having Myers available if needed.
“There's a chance, sure, but I don't know at this time. I really don't. I have no idea about that,” Vermes said. “But every day, he's getting better and better. He's in full training now, which is great, and we want to continue on.”
That's the approach Myers continues to take as well.
“I feel good,” he told MLSsoccer.com on Monday. “Obviously, I'm still trying to get a lot of fitness under my belt, but I'm just going to keep plugging away until Peter feels I'm ready to play, get some minutes here and there. But we're super-deep right now, so there's no rush. That's kind of a blessing in disguise, I think. I don't need to come back and pull myself out of the water and play 90 minutes right away.”
Even so, Myers was glad to see Monday roll around on the calendar.
“June – not June 1, but June itself – was kind of the goal,” he said. “Obviously, it's a year past when I got injured, but I'm feeling really good, feeling excited. I'm the happiest guy at training every day.”
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And, Myers said, he'll be even happier the first time he steps into a match – and even more so if it's at Sporting Park.
“Obviously, I'll be really excited when I get out there and get a chance to play in front of our fans, and family and friends, but this process has taught me patience,” he said. “You can't be overeager to rush back. My body's finally starting to feel good when it gets fatigued, and stronger and stronger as practices go on.”
Wherever Myers makes his return, Vermes said, it will be in a Sporting kit and not that of another club.
“I won't put him out on loan,” he said. He'll stay here.”
Steve Brisendine covers Sporting Kansas City for MLSsoccer.com.
