AMSTERDAM – Helsingborg are sweating the opening day availability of goalkeeper Matt Pyzdrowski, who is busy battling a foot injury suffered during training last Thursday.
The Illinois native landed awkwardly on his right foot while coming down from a jump in an uncontested cross-capturing drill. The Reds staff is still uncertain over exactly when Pyzdrowski will be back in action, and by extension, whether he can take the field when the club opens the new Allsvenskan season at Kalmar on 1903971994" tabindex="0">April 4.
"He's got a sprained ligament in his foot," HIF press officer Claes Pihlgren told MLSsoccer.com. "The physio is monitoring it daily, but we're really not sure how long he is out."
With the season kickoff fast approaching and incumbent starter Par Hansson on the injury shelf for longer than Pyzdrowski, Helsingborg may be forced to turn to goalkeeper coach Daniel Andersson a week from 1903971995" tabindex="0">Saturday. Retired for two years, the once-capped Sweden international and longtime Reds starter is now busy training in case the American is not ready for the Kalmar trip.
Pyzdrowski took over the top job when Hansson broke a finger in warm-ups prior to Helsginborg's Svenska Cupen group phase opener against Västerås on March 1. The former Portland Timbers man went 1-0-2 in his first three games with the club before falling 2-0 in last weekend's quarterfinal ouster away to Heath Pearce and IFK Göteborg.
