How long was he out with his broken finger? Compare to this...

On the opening day of the WUSA season(April 14), one of the top US women (Tisha Venturini), broke both bones of her forearm at the wrist when she went up high in a challenge and used her hand to keep from landing square on her head and probably breaking her neck.

She and her team (Bay Area CyberRays) were back in DC on Thursday night, so I asked one of their staff how she's doing and how long she was out. She was back playing competitive matches after 4 weeks and has played every week since with a cast on her arm. She still wore a light one during Thursday night's game. The only problem she's had has been the normal psychological problem of being afraid to fall on her arm again. It resulted in her landing on her face at one point. ;-) It wasn't a case of her being so desperately needed that she's had to play with an injury....she wanted to play and she was otherwise fit enough.

Don't think Marcia would make it in the WUSA, either. ;-))

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2001

Answers

I suspect Marcia has fallen on his face before (check the photos)and is traumatised to the point where he can't now even play with a elastoplast (Band-aid) on his body.

To be fair to the lad, as I understand it it was not a simple fracture, but a snapped tendon to his finger that almost caused him to have it amputated. Because of the specific nature of the injury it was not possible to fit a protective shield that would have allowed him to play with the injury.

I believe he's taken a lot of unfair criticism over this injury.

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2001

..............but not about his playing performances!!\

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2001

It maybe unfair criticism but expectations were high when he came and he never rose the occasion, I think rather than him not wanting to play the manager was looking for an excuse not to play him. "better not take the chance, rest it for another month"

As for Tisha, lucky it wasn't her ironing arm (c;

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

I agree that Marcia has taken an unfair amount of criticism for what was described as a freak injury. It was the club medical staff which announced he would have to be out for 6 weeks - (they ought to have had the common gumption to EXPLAIN to disbelieving fans just how a finger injury could keep a player out for so long - it was genuine) it was not Marcia crying off.

He's a class player - Robson points to his performance against Viduka last season - let's hope he starts to play like he can for us and then makes a name for himself here (other than the ones he already has!) or transfers for a decent wedge.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

Hee hee, Tony. She'd hit you with her iron for that one, I think. ;-)

So if Marcelino has been unfairly criticized for that one injury, what was his excuse the rest of the season? Can't imagine Bobby not wanting to play him, IF he were fit and willing, considering our injury problems in defense last season. Still think Marcie needs to work harder if he wants to get himself a new club, or at least repair his reputation here. I'm sure he does have the talent, he's shown it on occasion. Be nice to see it more consistently.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001