Wynne has heart set on return
Veteran Quakes defender begins limited training three months after heart surgery
SAN JOSE »Marvell Wynne has returned to the sideline three months after undergoing open-heart surgery for an undisclosed condition.
The Earthquakes defender sounded buoyant Monday about returning this season despite the serious setback that left him wondering if he would have to medically retire.
“I can’t wait to get into a game,” he said before joining teammates at the team’s training facility.
The versatile defender was not expected to return this season after a heart abnormality was discovered during routine preseason physical examination that included an electrocardiogram (EKG).
Although Wynne, 31, is able to run on the sideline, it’s not clear when he might be cleared to return to full practice.
But seeing the former No. 1 overall MLS draft pick on the field is welcomed news for San Jose, which has only two healthy central defenders as it heads into a U.S. Open Cup game on Wednesday against Seattle Sounders FC. Starting center back Florian Jungwirth said he hoped to return from an ankle strain for a showdown Saturday against the Los Angeles Galaxy. But the German defender might not be ready until the Quakes’ July 4 match at Atlanta United FC.
San Jose also is missing Fatai Alashe (knee), who fills in at center back, and left fullback Shaun Francis (hamstring).
Wynne, the son of former major leaguer Marvell Wynne, re-signed with San Jose in January with hopes of continuing his starting role. The 5-foot-9 defender started 63 of the Quakes’ 68 regular-season games during the previous two seasons.