Preseason Knock No Big Deal for Soares
February 5, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - New England coach Jay Heaps took action shortly after he saw Bobby Shuttleworth and A.J. Soares collide in the early stages of a 4-1 defeat to Vancouver last week.
Heaps noticed the effects of that blow "" incurred on a free kick shortly before the Whitecaps' third goal "" on Soares and truncated the center back's anticipated participation in the match shortly thereafter. The move represented a necessary precaution to ensure Soares' health going forward, according to Heaps.
"It looked like he hurt his neck a little bit from a collision on the sideline," Revolution coach Jay Heaps told MLSsoccer.com on Monday afternoon. "He had to leave, but he only had another 15 minutes left to play [anyways]."
The prudent course of action sidestepped any further fallout. The incident "" plus any knocks picked up earlier in the match "" did not leave any lasting effects. Soares trained with the Revs on Monday afternoon and said he felt fine in the wake of the collision.
"I'm back out here," Soares said. "It's just the preseason things, you know? Little bumps and bruises. That's it."
Soares' renewed participation offers a boost to Heaps and the Revs as they attempt to sort out their back four heading into 2013. The arrivals of Andrew Farrell and José Gonçalves have increased the competition for places in defense, but Soares' early performances ensure he will not cede his place in the starting XI without a fight.
"His fitness level has been great," Heaps said. "It's the first time he's been healthy for the last year. He's healthier than he was last year because he had the ankle surgery last offseason. He's in really good form right now. He's really starting to become a communicator back there and someone we need to lead that back four."
Major League Soccer Stories from February 5, 2013
- LA Galaxy defeat USL Proââ¬â¢s L.A. Blues 3-0 in preseason game - LA Galaxy
- Chivas USA Ties Chicago, 1-1, in Its Third Preseason Match - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Sporting KC Extends Broadcast Partnership with Sports Radio 810 WHB - Sporting Kansas City
- Chicago Fire Draw Chivas USA 1-1 in Preseason Friendly - Chicago Fire FC
- Brent Richards Undergoes Successful Knee Surgery - Portland Timbers
- Opportunity Knocks for Second-Year Forward Imbongo - New England Revolution
- Preseason Training Game: Seattle Sounders FC 0 vs. Portland Timbers 1 - Seattle Sounders FC
- Timbers Defeat Sounders FC 1-0 in Preseason Play - Portland Timbers
- Rapids Development Academy Teams to be Fully Funded by Club - Colorado Rapids
- Three Impact Players with Canada U20 - Club de Foot Montreal
- Preseason Knock No Big Deal for Soares - New England Revolution
- LA Galaxy Create Academy Alliance - LA Galaxy
- D.C. United Finalizes All Times for 34-Game Regular-Season - D.C. United
- MLS, TSN and RDS Announce 2013 Regular Season National Broadcast Schedule for Canada - MLS
- Montreal Impact Unveils Its 2013 Broadcast Schedule - Club de Foot Montreal
- Red Bulls Sign Defender Dax McCarty to New Contract - New York Red Bulls
- Rapids Single Game Tickets on Sale this Week - Colorado Rapids
- The Impact Soccer Schools at Olympic Stadium - Club de Foot Montreal
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