Edison Flores: Gareca’s confirmed confidence and the reasons for his return to the United States | REPORT

In April of last year, Lucy Rushton arrived at DC United to serve as general manager. This 37-year-old Englishwoman was hired after a successful spell with Atlanta United (2018 MLS champions). Within his specialties, Rushton adds the knowledge of analysis and statistics in football. That numerical evaluation prompted her to a surprising decision: to ask for the return of Edison Flores after finding out about his knee injury. In the Washington team they do not want their franchise player (that is, with one of the best salaries) to have the same averages as last year.

As soon as the information about Flores’ injury was disclosed, after the last friendly match against Panama, from the board of directors of the DC United They requested his return to Washington to evaluate him and determine what his recovery process will be. From the FPF they confirmed that the request was exclusive to the manager Rushton. Despite the return to the United States, Ricardo Gareca’s technical command trusts in the recovery of ‘Orejas’ and they would maintain the idea of ​​calling him for the next double date of the Qualifiers.

Edison Flores’ injuries

What are the ‘Ears’ numbers that worry you at DC United? This term is used in professional sports leagues in the United States and not only refers to the best salaries, but also to the greatest participation in marketing and advertising.

Last year, Flores added 972 minutes on the field and a total of 16 games played (only 11 as a starter). This is far from the best version of ‘Ears’ abroad. For the 2017/2018 campaign, Edison reached 2,302 minutes on the pitch with Aalborg from Denmark. This time coincides with the top moment of Flores with the Peruvian national team (the months where the classification to the Russia World Cup 2018). “DC United has the power to decide Edison’s return, we are not on FIFA dates. In any case, he is still a very important player for this technical team.”, answers us Juan Carlos Oblitas, sports director of the FPF.

In these qualifiers for Qatar 2022, Edison’s closest thing to participating in a decisive play was the backward cross prior to Sergio Peña’s goal, in the 2-0 against Chile.

A prevention issue

“At DC United they are concerned because Edison was injured during the selection trips and was unable to play much of 2021 with them. What they want to do is prevent and do a 100 percent check-up with their medical staff and physical area”, declares Carlos Gonzales, representative of Flores.

Despite these inconveniences, Edison has decided to remain calm and hope that his recovery will be quick and uneventful. “I am doing well. Nothing happened like I said yesterday. I thought it was going to be worse but sometimes you think too much, now I’m much better “Flores declared before traveling to Washington. Let us remember that DC United had given Edison special permission to train and play friendlies with the national team these weeks. Now he has asked her to come back.

“Edison is calm and understands the concern of his club. Obviously, it is not ideal to make these long, high-intensity pre-match trips like those of the national team, but it is what the club requires and he has to respond to his club during these periods, except on official FIFA dates, where the right does so. They have the selections.” Gonzales adds.

Néstor Bonillo, the bicolor’s physical trainer, was the one who personally followed the evolution of ‘Orejas’. Even the good atmosphere with his presence could be perceived in the updates of Jefferson Farfán in his social networks.

“It has not been an overexertion, it has been a fortuitous play. In football it usually happens to a lot of players”Flores explains to rule out that his injury is a relapse of the muscular problems he had last year. At DC United they have considered it a priority to have him at one hundred percent in the next MLS season.

If he is recovered, his call for Friday remains firm. Gareca considers him as a footballer who is good for the group and, furthermore, variants are needed in attack. Of course, ‘Orejas’ has lost his position as in the starting eleven. Between today and tomorrow it must be confirmed, or ruled out, if ‘Orejas’ may be in the call of ‘Tiger’. Your next few hours will have to bring good news.