HANOVER, N.J. – Rumors of his demise might be greatly exaggerated, at least the New York Red Bulls hope so when it comes to the long-term injury status of one of their best players.
Mike Grella is making good progress in his recovery from knee surgery, the Red Bulls winger having had surgery in late June and now ramping up his rehab. His injured left knee is making progress as he’s riding the stationary bicycle. Presumably, running on the treadmill will be the next step.
All of which has head coach Jesse Marsch thinking that his influential wide player could be available for the tail end of the MLS season and any possible playoff run.
“Mike’s doing better than expected. He’s not on season-ending injury or anything like that. So if he gets himself ready here in the next month or so, he can be considered for some big games here at the end of the year,” Marsch said. “We’re hopeful but what’s most important with this injury is that it recovers the right way. We don’t want to put him in a situation where he forces himself back but doesn’t give his injury enough time to fully recover. But we’re all optimistic that we might see him playing again.”
Playing with pain in his left knee since last year, the injury limited Grella to just eight games played and three starts this year. Since joining the Red Bulls in 2015, the Long Island native has been among the most dynamic players in all of MLS with 16 goals and 13 assists in 61 matches.
That he could be available for the close of the MLS season as well as the playoffs is a big potential piece for Marsch to add to his roster, giving him yet another attacking option who can play wide or up top as a forward.
