Defender Damani Richards, the 18-year-old from Trinidad & Tobago who has yet to appear in a game for the City Islanders, underwent surgery nearly two weeks ago (June 21) in Philadelphia to repair several tears in his abdominal and pelvic areas.
The 6-0, 175-pound Richards, who was signed by the Union in mid-January and released just before the regular season began, arrived in Harrisburg several weeks later with the injuries to his core apparently already in play yet undiagnosed.
Richards attempted to train during the City Islanders' preseason camp and was in the lineup during Harrisburg's exhibition against the Naval Academy. He departed that game late in the first half and has been on the sidelines ever since.
Richards is the third Harrisburg player to undergo surgery to repair a tear since the end of last season, following winger Morgan Langley and midfielder Jason Pelletier. Langley's procedure was similar to the one Richards endured, while Pelletier has a groin tear repaired just before the start of training camp.
Although Richards' rehab is limited to walking and jogging, the promising left back said Wednesday that if things go smoothly he is optimistic about playing sometime this season — maybe on Aug. 17 in the regular-season finale at Dayton but most likely if the City Islanders advance to the USL PRO playoffs.