De Merit injury sparks fears of centre back shuffle
Player will be out for at least six weeks with torn ankle tendon suffered during game last Saturday
Injuries forced the Vancouver Whitecaps to play centre back merry- go- round last season.
They have to hope another severe injury to captain Jay DeMerit doesn’t start the wheel turning again.
The Caps confirmed Thursday the 34- year- old DeMerit tore a tendon in his left ankle last Saturday in Philadelphia and will be out at least six weeks after opting for non- surgical rehabilitation. He limped off after 24 minutes against the Union after injuring the ankle jumping for a ball.
“His level of compete, he’s all in … and there’s no question we’re going to miss that,” said Caps’ president Bob Lenarduzzi.
Johnny Leveron, who started alongside DeMerit in Philadelphia when Andy O’Brien was rested, will likely get the first shot to replace the captain, even though he had a dismal second half against the Union in the 3- 3 decision.
The Honduran has started just three times in the first 13 games this season. He started 18 games at left centre back last season after DeMerit — who missed most of the season with a left Achilles tear — and the nowdeparted Brad Rusin, were both injured.
The Caps, who are off this week and don’t play again until they host the Montreal Impact on June 25, could also look to add an experienced centre back through trade or during the international transfer window that begins on July 6.
Given that O’Brien turns 35 this month and DeMerit reaches the same age in December, head coach Carl Robinson almost certainly has been building a list of potentially available centre backs.
“We have some names, but nothing that we can take to the bank just yet,” said Lenarduzzi.
He admitted the trade route within Major League Soccer is unlikely given that the better centre backs are generally out of reach.
“No one’s willing to part with those players unless you give up something significant. And what you don’t want to be doing is giving up in other areas.”
DeMerit and O’Brien have formed a fairly effective tandem this season as the Caps are off to their best MLS start at 5- 2- 6. Leveron has started three times, while fellow centre backs Carlyle Mitchell, a Trinidad and Tobago international, and rookie Christian Dean have both played only in a pair of Canadian championship games.
Leveron, 24, was solid last season when he got a run of games, a calm presence on the ball with good passing skills. But he displayed little of that in Philadelphia, carelessly thumping long balls out of touch or far out of reach. He also looked weak on the Union’s third goal, allowing striker Connor Casey way too much room to turn and shoot.
“I think when a big chunk of your team seemed to hit the wall at the same time ( in the second half), it doesn’t help the guys at the back,” said Lenarduzzi. “As a team, it was the worst half of the season. And Johnny would be the first to admit it wasn’t one of his better games. The things he’s good at, being comfortable on the ball … everything he hit ended up in the stands.”
Lenarduzzi said Leveron may just need a run of games to get comfortable again.
“Carl will determine if that’s an option. Maybe we need to give him a good run. He did well last year when he had that run. It can’t be easy coming in for one game and not playing for five or six.”