A bone bruise on Eddie Gaven’s right leg will once again prevent him from potentially creating some SportsCenter moments when the Columbus Crew play the LA Galaxy on Saturday in a sold-out Crew Stadium (7:30 pm ET, watch LIVE online).
Then again, Gaven wouldn’t see the highlights even if he were healthy enough to play for the first time since Aug. 5.
“I don’t have ESPN in my house,” the Crew midfielder said.
It’s not that he’s got anything against the sports media giant.
“I had cable but I got rid of it,” Gaven said. “I’ve got an antenna on the back of my TV to watch the local channels and watch the MLS games online through the MLS package [MatchDay Live]. That’s all I need.”
Besides, Gaven would rather by playing, but he’s frustrated that a kick to the outside of his leg by Colorado’s Jeff Larentowicz has taken so long to heal. He hoped to be back by now but has been limited in his return to training this week.
“It’s feeling better and better every single day, but I’m not there yet,” he said. “Kicking the ball with the inside of my right foot gives me a sharp pain. When I hit the ball with my laces, it feels pretty good. The impact of the ball hitting the inside of the foot sends a wave.”
With four games remaining after Saturday, Gaven would like to return next week when the Crew play at Sporting Kansas City on Sept. 28 and against D.C. United on Oct. 2, but he’s not making any predictions.
“I don’t want to say I’m going to be ready for this game or that game because I just don’t know at this point,” he said.
Gaven started the first 23 matches before his injury, so coach Robert Warzycha is just as anxious to see him in the lineup.
“Absolutely it’s frustrating,” the coach said. “He’s an important part of the team, so he needs to be 100 percent ready to play.”
Gaven takes his mind off the injury by enjoying time with wife Paula and their nearly five-month-old son Zachary. What you won’t find is Gaven watching a lot of TV.
“I watch PBS documentaries,” he said. “There’s so much garbage on TV these days. I’d rather read a book. Right now, I’m reading a book on the history of Christian development through the Middle Ages. It’s pretty good so far.”
He paused before joking to a reporter, “You’re making me out to be a complete nerd right now.”
On the mend
Columbus captain Chad Marshall (left hip flexor) practiced Thursday and Warzycha said he will be available vs. the Galaxy, but wouldn’t say whether his center back will start after sitting the 1-0 loss at Philadelphia last week.
Forward Emilio Rentería will likely also dress. He missed the past two games because of a concussion.
