Sporting KC’s Graham Zusi deemed doubtful for Saturday’s match with concussion

After spending the first two months of the season battling a foot injury and hamstring strain, Sporting Kansas City winger Graham Zusi commented last week that he was finally nearing a clean bill of health.

It didn’t last long.

Zusi will likely miss Saturday’s home match against Colorado with a concussion he suffered during the second half of a 1-1 draw with D.C. United last Saturday.

“We’re just trying to be smart with a head injury,” Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes said, adding, “It’s day-to-day. Whether or not he’ll be ready for the weekend, I don’t know. Right now, I would say it’s very doubtful.”

In the 76th minute Saturday, Zusi’s head struck the head of D.C. United’s Bobby Boswell while they fought for a ball in the air. The collision opened a gash on Zusi’s forehead, and he temporarily exited the match to have the wound covered.

The club’s trainers put Zusi through a series of concussion tests on the sideline, all of which he passed. But after returning to the match, Zusi said he felt effects from the collision, and he was removed in the 90th minute.

He underwent more tests after the game, when he was diagnosed with a concussion.

Zusi previously missed two matches last month with a hamstring strain.

Palmer-Brown extends stay

Sporting KC defender Erik Palmer-Brown earned his first start of the season during Saturday’s draw with D.C. United.

A change of plans may lead to a second start this weekend against Colorado.

Palmer-Brown, 18, will remain with the club for one more week after initial plans called for him to join the United States under-20 men’s national team Monday for its World Cup training camp in Carson, Calif.

“It would be good if he stayed here another week, just based on some of the different players that we have in and out at the moment,” Vermes said. “It helps us make sure we’re covered for the weekend.”

Palmer-Brown will instead travel next week to join the U.S. U-20 team, which is preparing for the U-20 World Cup, set for May 30 through June 20 in New Zealand.

This and that

▪ Defender Seth Sinovic received stitches above his left eye as a result of a collision Saturday, but he said the injury won’t cost him any time on the field. He participated in Tuesday’s practice.

▪ Midfielder Paulo Nagamura did not train with the team Tuesday. He remains sidelined with a lower back strain.

This story was originally published May 12, 2015 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Sporting KC’s Graham Zusi deemed doubtful for Saturday’s match with concussion."