FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Hopes were high for an attacking breakthrough when the New England Revolution hosted the Philadelphia Union last weekend at Gillette Stadium, but those hopes took a hit just five minutes into the match when striker Leo Campana limped off with an injury.
Replacing Campana was Maxi Urruti, a seasoned MLS veteran now with his seventh team in his 12th year in the league. While Urruti was active in his 80 minutes off the bench – producing one of the most promising chances of the night in the second half – it's never easy to lose your starting striker in the opening minutes of a match, particularly when you're searching for goals.
Speaking after training on Tuesday, head coach Caleb Porter provided insight into Campana's injury, a hamstring strain that will unfortunately keep him out of action for up to four weeks.
“He’ll probably miss three games,” Porter said. “We do have an international break, so that helps because it’s a bye week. He actually did it three minutes into the game slipping [on the field]. So, it’s a very fluky kind of hamstring strain, but he'll be out four weeks.”
Still in search of their first goal, the Revs head to New York this weekend to face New York City FC on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium. While Urruti took over Campana’s role on matchday three, Porter confirmed that players like Ignatius Ganago provide additional options.
“Like always, we’ll do what we think is best to win the game. We’re always looking at the chemistry of the group, that’s really important. We have to look at the opponent and what they’re looking to do – that’s really important, as well,” Porter said. “So, we’ll prepare this week. We will tinker a little bit, because we know for four weeks – probably four weeks, could be three – we have to deal with Leo being out.”
Porter also offered an update last week on left back Peyton Miller, who has missed the first three games of the season with a groin injury. Porter had some positive news to share on Miller, who should be returning to training within the week.
“Miller is coming along. I think it’s been a little over three weeks now. We’re hopeful that he will start to progress back into training next week. Then, hopefully we can start to work him in games. Right now, he’s probably a week away,” Porter said ahead of the match against Philadelphia.
As the Revs forge ahead, they’ll look to secure their first win of the season in New York City on Saturday night. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium and is projected to be the warmest game of the season so far, with temperatures in the low 50s.
