Collins John said the leg injury that kept him out of Saturday’s game vs. Chivas USA started at the end of practice on Thursday. He felt he could still play and was on the original game roster posted by coach Carlos de los Cobos.
During pre-game warmups, however, John realized he couldn’t go. De los Cobos had already put him in the starting 11 and, in making him an unusual last-minute scratch, made him ineligible to play against Chivas USA.
John said he couldn’t have played anyway and has doubts about when he can. “I don’t think I’ll practice until at least Wednesday,” he said after his team’s 1-1 tie. That puts his status in limbo for next Saturday’s game at Toronto FC.
Brian McBride was given the start when John couldn’t go and didn’t get off a shot. De los Cobos pulled him in the 88th minute, giving Stefan Dimitro his first playing time of the season. The absence of John and Chivas’ defensive work on McBride led to the Fire offense sputtering. Chivas had a 14-4 advantage in shots in the match.
