April 29, 2007 GALAXY LOSE KIRK IN CLASICO Midfielder suffers injury relapse
By Andrea Canales, LASoccerNews.com Associate Editor
Quavas Kirk was on the road to recovery, but took an unexpected detour in the last game. Linda Cuttone, SportsVue Images
A late substitute into the game versus Chivas USA, Quavas Kirk helped his team secure the 3-1 victory versus their crosstown rivals.
But afterwards, Kirk was limping on crutches.
"I guess I just maybe strained something again in the same spot in my heel again," said the young midfielder. "We’re going to get some pictures on Monday. But it doesn’t seem like good news."
The injury bug has bitten Kirk before, even as young as he is. A broken foot wasn't fully healed when he participated in the U17 World Cup in Peru two years ago and it handicapped his play.
Last year, another foot injury kept him out of games at the start of the Galaxy's season. This season he suffered another problem with his heel that he had recently recovered from.
"I just got better," lamented Kirk about the latest setback.
It's not only the Galaxy who worry when Kirk picks up a knock, as the versatile player is also an important member of the U20 U.S. national team pool.
Rehabilitation had become distressingly familiar to Kirk.
"It’s been tough," admitted Kirk. "All I want to do is play. That’s every young player's dream when they get into the league. That’s all I want to do, is get into some games and get some minutes under my belt."
Yet if the health difficulties had taught Kirk anything, it was that patience was paramount.
"It’s obviously been a struggle," Kirk explained. "Last year, I did the same thing, just sitting out at the beginning a couple of games. Now it’s happening again. At least I know how to deal with it."
