For now, the only game Jacob Peterson can play is the waiting one.
Sporting Kansas City’s versatile forward/midfielder underwent a medical evaluation on Monday, two days after sustaining what the club said was a sprained right shoulder in Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to Columbus.
The full results of that examination won’t be available until later in the week, according to the club.
Peterson was hurt in the 67th minute of the loss to the Crew, when he laid out trying to head in a cross and landed awkwardly beyond the byline.
The injury is cause for concern for Sporting – especially with the US Open Cup final in a week’s time.
The 26-year-old has been one of Sporting’s top players of late, both in terms of on-field energy and offensive production. He has four goals across all competitions, three of those coming this month.
Peterson’s injury also dealt another blow to Sporting’s already-thin lineup. Center back Aurélien Collin missed Saturday’s match with facial fractures, right back Chance Myers has missed two straight with a groin strain, and Roger Espinoza is on Olympic duty with Honduras – and likely to extend his run in London after los Catrachos’ stunning 1-0 upset of Spain on Sunday.
Peterson, who has also started at both wing spots this season, had taken over Espinoza’s left midfield duties in recent matches.
“This doesn’t help,” manager Peter Vermes said of Peterson’s injury. “He is in form, so we’ll have to make do once we find out what the situation is, but right now there isn’t much that I can say. Obviously he has been good for us.”
Peterson, though, still isn’t ready to concede even one missed match.
“I don’t want to miss any games,” he said on Saturday. “We’ll see exactly what it is. If I have an option to play, I want to play.”
