Red Bull New York will be without first-choice central defender Justin Che when they face defending MLS Cup champions Inter Miami on Saturday evening.
The 22-year-old defender sustained an undisclosed injury following a challenge during Tuesday’s training session and needed to be helped off the field.
Red Bull New York head coach Michael Bradley was unable to offer additional details regarding the injury as the club awaits further medical updates.
“He will be out for Saturday,” Bradley said during Thursday’s press conference. “Still working through everything with our medical team in trying to give ourselves the most complete picture and diagnosis of where he is but he’ll be out Saturday. We’re still working through it.”
Che did not join teammates on the practice pitch during Thursday’s training session at RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center.
The 6-foot-1 defender has appeared in 20 MLS matches for Red Bull New York in his first season at the club. He has recorded one assist and has completed 88 percent of his passes.
Stay tuned to South Ward Central for further updates on Che’s status.
How Will Red Bull New York Replace Che?
Bradley could turn to veteran defender Tim Parker to start in Che’s place alongside Julián Bazán on Saturday, though left-back Devin Padelford could slide over to center-back with Matthew Dos Santos regaining a starting place at left-back.
Robert Voloder is also a center-back option, though he last played for New York in a three-minute appearance against St. Louis CITY SC on September 30. That cameo was Voloder’s only appearance for the club since mid-May.
The Red Bulls will enter the weekend in ninth place and final playoff position. New York is currently even on points (36) with 10th-place Toronto FC and are only separated by three points from 13th-place D.C. United.
Saturday’s match against Inter Miami is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. kickoff. The match will be carried on Apple TV.
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