Rapids hoping Baudet can return quickly
Defender to see hand and wrist specialist to discuss treatment
The victory was costly, however, as Baudet fell to a potentially serious injury in the game's 38th minute. Baudet and Red Bulls midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic collided in a midair pursuit of a ball, with Baudet landing on his forearm and suffering a break that caused immediate concern.
After several minutes of attention by the medical staff with the defender lying still on the field, Baudet was helped off the field and to an ambulance, his forearm and wrist immobilized in an inflatable cast.
"He's broken both bones in his forearm," head coach Gary Smith said after the game. "It's a shame. It's a bit of a price to pay tonight for success. Sadly that is the game."
A report from the Rapids athletic training staff Monday morning specified that Baudet was taken to Rose Medical Center on Saturday night, where he was treated for a left radius and ulna fracture. The fracture was reduced and stabilized, and Baudet was put in a soft cast. He will be seeing a hand and wrist specialist Monday to discuss further treatment options.
Baudet was making just his second start for the Rapids after debuting with a 72-minute appearance in last week's loss to D.C. The 10-year professional veteran from France was acquired by the Rapids on July 15, when the international transfer window opened. He had most recently played and served as captain with Crewe Alexandra of English League One, and he quickly established himself among a crowded and competitive field of Colorado center backs, strengthening the defense and hinting at things to come with the clean sheet against New York.
"Julien brings a lot of size, and he's very vocal," Ihemelu said Saturday. "He plays well out of the back. A lot of experience. He's played in Europe against quality players. He'll help the team. But I think he sustained an injury today that's going to put him out for a while. We have guys that can play center back that can step in there. We're pretty deep in the center back position. Hopefully he'll recover quickly, and we'll just put someone in there and try to keep getting results."
Scott Palguta took the field for Baudet in the 38th minute, making his 14th appearance of the season. The rookie defender made his MLS debut at Columbus in early April, and has started 12 of the Rapids' 14 games since, all but one at center back.
Ihemelu (6-0), Baudet (6-2), Gibbs (6-1), and Harvey (5-11) made an imposing back four, even when the Rapids struggled for possession after their early goal in the first half, proving impenetrable as they blanked the Red Bulls. Palguta (6-2) and Kosuke Kimura (5-8) are the most likely starters with Baudet out, offering Smith a choice of Kimura's offensive edge from the right with Ihemelu sliding in beside Gibbs or, alternatively, Palguta's solid defense as a center back, fortifying the middle.
Baudet played a big role in Colorado's effort to control possession from the defensive third and push upfield. Jacob Peterson's fifth-minute game-winning goal began with a Baudet pass to Omar Cummings, and went on to include Ihemelu and Cummings again delivering from the corner, stretching New York's defense out and taking advantage of Peterson's speed in front of the net.
"Julien brings a lot of experience, but he also brings a lot of communication in the back," midfielder and captain Pablo Mastroeni said. "He's always sorting things out. And he's also comfortable with the ball, which allows us to build a little bit more out of the back."
The 4-0 victory spoke both to Baudet's potential helping to anchor that formidable back four, and to Palguta's ability to maintain the momentum of a resurgent team defense on the heels of a 3-1 loss in D.C. last week. Having gotten a taste of the impact their new defender can make, the Rapids will be eager to see him return to the field.
"We hope it's an injury that can be correctly quickly," Smith said, as yet uncertain of how quickly Baudet could play again. "He's a fit, strong player who certainly will keep himself in great condition, and we'll get him back on the field as quickly as possible. He'll be trying to do that as well. It's a shame."
Owen Perkins is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
