After sitting out his team's 2-1 loss at Chicago this past weekend, Kansas City Wizards forward Scott Sealy will likely miss more time due to an ankle injury.
The injury occurred last Wednesday in the Wizards' loss to Real Salt Lake in their U.S. Open Cup play-in game. The Trinidad & Tobago international had come on at the start of the second half for fellow frontrunner Eddie Johnson but was then substituted for in the 77th minute.
When asked if he would be able to perform in the Wizards home opener Wednesday evening at Arrowhead Stadium against Toronto FC, Sealy held out little hope.
"Slight chance, maybe. We took X-rays and they were negative, so that's a good sign," he said. "There's still some discomfort, so we're going to get a second opinion and maybe get an MRI done."
Sealy wasn't able to train on Tuesday, although he was dressed. But Kansas City head coach Curt Onalfo has not ruled Sealy out of the lineup.
"We haven't decided on what our lineup is going to be. We're going to make a final determination on Scott to see if he's available; we're going to test him [Wednesday] morning," Onalfo said. "Based on that we'll decide how we're going to play."
With 19-year-old Yura Movsisyan playing up top with Johnson, facing a solid defensive plan by the Fire, the Wizards struggled up front in the loss at Chicago. Johnson and Onalfo both agree that Sealy was missed.
"I think [Sealy's absence] had a big impact. He and Eddie up top are two guys you have to worry about enormously. We certainly missed him against Chicago," said the Wizards boss.
Added Johnson: "I miss him. All the forwards, we talk, it's going to take all of us this year. But as of right now, that's my partner. It's like when you go to work and your partner's not there, you miss him. We've been together all preseason. We've established a relationship where we're both on the same page this year. Right now, I have to look at myself in the mirror and take more responsibility now while Sealy's hurt."
Sealy is eager to return after combining well with Johnson in the season-opening 4-2 win against D.C. United at RFK Stadium. It was Sealy who earned an assist on the Wizards second goal and scored the fourth goal off a rebound from a Johnson shot to put the match away.
"[I'm] very much so [disappointed]," Sealy said. "It's the beginning of the season, just two games. It's a major setback for me. I'm just looking at trying to get it right so I can get back on the field again."