Rapids defender Sean St. Ledger began his 2016 training on Tuesday, as he begins to work his way back from an offseason knee procedure.
“Preseason started yesterday for him,” Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni said Wednesday.
Mastroeni described St. Ledger’s injury as “knee wear and tear…inflammation, tendinitis, the whole nine.”
St. Ledger’s contract option was declined this offseason, but the Rapids ultimately re-signed him to a new deal for 2016. Terms were not disclosed.
Mastroeni said St. Ledger’s return to full fitness would likely take some time.
“(It will be) a slow steady process and making sure he’s 100 percent fit and at 100 percent full health before he steps on the field,” Mastroeni said.
Rapids defender Sean St. Ledger. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)
In the meantime, Jared Watts and Axel Sjoberg got the start in central defense in the Rapids’ first MLS game of 2016, and Mastroeni said he liked what he saw, other than the one play that led to the Earthquakes goal.
Bobby Burling, another option at center back, was held out after he suffered knee inflammation in the Rapids’ final preseason match. Mastroeni said Burling had swelling right up until the opener.
“I didn’t want to take a risk at that point,” Mastroeni said.
Burling was back training fully this week.
Defender Joseph Greenspan is no longer an option on the Rapids’ back line this season as he’s away on Naval duty. Colorado retains his rights, but no longer has him on the active roster as he’s considered “unavailable,” Rapids VP of soccer operations Paul Bravo said Wednesday.
Bravo added that Mekeil Williams is also capable of filling in at center back. He was at full health, but on the bench Sunday due to a manger’s decision.
