KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Peterson Joseph is still listed on Sporting Kansas City's active roster, but it's not clear when – or if – the midfielder nicknamed the “Haitian Xavi” will be able to suit up again.
“He's in a predicament,” manager Peter Vermes told reporters after Tuesday's training session. “He's got a health issue. We're still trying to deal with what it actually truly is. I don't want to go too deep into it right now, because we're still waiting on some tests.”
Some more tests, actually. This is the same issue that sidelined Joseph last fall, Vermes said, and compounding the problem is that doctors still aren't sure what's wrong.
“He's gone through a battery of tests here,” Vermes said. “He flew to New York for a battery of tests there, and now some other people are taking a look at him as well. Until that's sorted out, we will not take a chance regarding him and his health.”
The 23-year-old Haitian international has been with Sporting since September 2011. He made 23 MLS appearances with 14 starts last season, both career highs, but passed out in training in late October. He has not played or practiced since then, sitting out Sporting's run to the MLS Cup title.
Tests so far haven't even showed whether the problem is congenital or the result of an illness, Vermes said. Joseph also went down in training during the 2012 season, and that collapse was at first attributed to dehydration.
“We do not know,” Vermes said. “We honestly do not know. That's part of the issue at the moment. That's why we're not going to take any chances. His health is more important to us. Soccer is a far, far second right now in regards to making sure he's right.”
Steve Brisendine covers Sporting Kansas City for MLSsoccer.com.
