Maxi Moralez has been practicing with NYCFC. (Photo courtesy of MLS)
VANCOUVER — Maxi Moralez has been practicing with New York City FC the past few days. Whether he will be in the Starting XI or in the 18 for Wednesday night’s encounter at the Vancouver Whitecaps, is another matter.
City head Coach Patrick Vieira is expected to make a late decision on whether the Argentine midfielder will play in the Major League Soccer match at B.C. Place. Moralez, who has been sidelined from three consecutive victories — over the Seattle Sounders, Red Bulls and Minnesota United, has been rated as questionable.
Moralez suffered his calf injury in the Lamar Hunt/U.S. Open Cup elimination to Red Bulls June 14.
In other injury updates:
* Defender Ronald Matarrita, who will miss the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a broken leg, has started his rehabilitation from the metatarsal injury suffered against Minnesota. He is expected to miss from three to four weeks.
* Midfielder-forward Khiry Shelton (hamstring) still is not prepared to return.
The team also will be without midfielder-forward Miguel Camargo (Panama), goalkeeper Sean Johnson and forward Rodney Wallace (both U.S.), who are with their respective sides at the Gold Cup.
Vancouver will miss four players on international duty: Sam Adekugbe, Marcel de Jong, Alphonso Davies and Russell Teibert.
