After the shocking kick to the back that left New York Red Bulls center back Karl Ouimette to be stretchered off the field on Saturday night in USL action, many were left fearing the worst.
But it turns out the Canadian international escaped with only minor injuries. He tweeted on Tuesday that scans showed no broken bones after coach Jesse Marsch had told reporters the injury was believed to be only a "back contusion."
“That’s been a sigh of relief for all of us because I think anyone who has watched I think cringes and can’t believe that something so cowardly would be done," Marsch told reporters. "Our minds and hearts are with Karl and we’re glad that he’s OK."
Ouimette was blindsided by a kick in the back from Pittsburgh Riverhounds forward Romeo Parkes after both players were sent off in the closing stages of Saturday night's USL match between the Riverhounds and Red Bulls II. Parkes' club wasted no time terminating his contract and the USL suspended him for the remainder of the 2016 season.
Ouimette was loaned to Red Bulls II for the first time in 2016 ahead of Saturday's match. He had started six of RBNY's first 10 matches of the MLS season before joining Red Bulls II for his first USL start of the campaign on Saturday.
Early reports had him out at New York Red Bulls practice on Wednesday, training on the side:
