Lewis Morgan is in a “good place,” coach Sandro Schwartz said Thursday, the day after the Red Bulls announced they would miss the star at least six weeks after undergoing surgery on their left knee early in the week.
This is the second time in the last three seasons that Morgan has had to miss extra time due to an injury. He appeared in just 5 MLS matches in 2023 due to hip problems, but the injury does not seem to reduce the spirit of the forward.
“From a mental standpoint, [he’s] “In a good place, in a good place,” Schwartz said at his weekly pre-match press conference on Thursday. “He is also very professional now in medical school rehabilitation with everyone. Certainly… the following week, he is taking a big step forward. And he will be ready for us in six weeks.”
Six weeks may feel like eternity for the abused and hurtful Red Bulls in the first few weeks of the season.
Versatile defender Cam Harper remains on the sideliness of a knee injury he suffered at his home opener earlier this month, with Wiktor Bogach not making his Red Bull debut due to a back injury.
Schwartz also revealed on Thursday that Mohamed Sopho, who started his first MLS at Morgan's location on March 1, was dealing with gro caliber injuries and was expected to miss two weeks.
Morgan's loss remains the most important bundle as he places most of his offensive workload on striker Emile Forsberg and offseason add Eric Maxim Chowpomoting.
Morgan led the team with goals (13) and placed second in assists (7) behind the currently developed Dante Vansère.
Schwartz called this a “big opportunity” for younger players on the team to step up, but also admitted that the Red Bulls “look inside and out” because of the options to support their declining roster.
The MLS Transfer Window will be open until April 23rd. This means that front offices have time to find more help in the open market.
“This is our responsibility to the club and we can all talk together and find the best solution,” the Red Bulls coach said. “We talk about solutions every time. What we can do to improve our roster.”
Red Bull had one of the more active offseasons already.
