Rowdies have ‘bare bones’ available against Minnesota

Posted Jul 9, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jul 9, 2010 at 03:55 PM

The FC Tampa Bay Rowdies will be without five potential starters when they face the NSC Minnesota Stars as both Jeremy Christie and Gordon Kljestan were ruled out on Friday and did not travel with the team for Saturday’s game.

Christie and Kljestan join forward Aaron Wheeler, defender Erik Ustruck and midfielder Scott Buete on the sideline leaving the Rowdies with only 16 outfield players to select from, a tough situation for Coach Paul Dalglish.

“We really are down to the bare bones,” Dalglish said. “They’re all starting eleven players, so it’s a tough one when nearly half your team’s out, or nearly half your outfield players that would more than likely start are out.”

That means increased responsibility for a second week for some of the Rowdies’ younger players like Mozzi Gyorio, who did an excellent job in midfield against Miami last Sunday. Because of that performance and the way others have worked in practice this week, Dalglish is confident that while they aren’t as experienced as the players the Rowdies are missing, those who will be called upon on Saturday have the ability to perform well enough to win.

“We’re very lucky that our young players are very good,” Dalglish said. “I still think we’ve got players on the field who can go there and play to a level that will win the game.”

Christie’s absence could last longer than just Saturday, though, with the club saying on Friday that he was also doubtful for Thursday’s game against the Puerto Rico Islanders. Christie will be able to resume fitness training next week, but no timetable has been set for his return as the club is understandably cautious with a potential concussion.