Brian Nielsen _ a forgotten man in Red Bull circles, relegated to injury reports and distant memory for over a year _ could actually make his return for the Vancouver game on Sept. 10. And if that’s not shocking enough, get a load of this: He could actually be back next year, if he looks healthy for the rest of the season.
“Yeah, he’s improving all the time now,’’ said Backe. “I think it’s now only mentally; he’s a little afraid of twisting and turning. But otherwise running straight forward he’s always dangerous. If he just keeps on training now a couple of weeks, hopefully mentally that thing is gone. If he can twist and turn, he could definitely be a joker for us playing 20 minutes or something like that.’’
Hurricane Irene forced Sunday’s Red Bulls-Galaxy game to be rescheduled for Tuesday Oct. 4. Nielsen _ who is still recovering from knee surgery last fall _ told the Post he could probably have played a few minutes off the bench Sunday, but with two weeks to regain fitness and move past his hesitancy, he should be much better against Vancouver.
“It’s getting better every day. I think with my one-against-one movements, everything is better. That’s the last thing, when I have to cross over. (But) it’s much better,’’ said Nielsen. “I feel like I could go on the bench and play 15, 20 minutes at the end of the game. I feel like I could do that (right now). Not 100 percent, but I could do it.
“(Sept. 10) is much better. I think I will be able to go on the bench in two week’s time.’’
Nielsen, a Danish midfielder, arrived on loan last season from Superliga team Vejle Boldklub in his home country. He was regarded as a highly-talented former prodigy, having played 49 times for Denmark at various youth levels, including nine games at the Under-21 level, but had never maximized his vaunted potential.
He has played only two league games, starting a 2-1 win over Philadelphia last April 24 and coming off the bench for a 38-minute cameo in a 1-0 loss to Seattle last May 15.
After missing an entire season and having his contract bought out by Red Bull Salzburg, Backe and GM Erik Soler extended his loan because they believed in his talent. Now he’s on the verge of completing his long, arduous comeback from knee surgery last fall.
“Yeah, he’s a little bit afraid of just taking players on, when he’s turned the wrong way to twist and turn,’’ said Backe. “You can see sometimes he starts limping then. But it’s not that he has any pain, it’s just more mental. He hasn’t done that for 18 months.’’
Nielsen practiced fully today, and actually looked sharp. He scored a goal and hit the post from about 20-25 yards out, and looked quick.
Now Nielsen is hoping to not only be available as the Red Bulls begin a playoff push over their final eight games _ starting Sept. 10 _ but also convince the front office that he’s healthy enough and worthy enough to bring back next year.
“I’ve got to talk to the club about that; then I can tell you (if I’ll be back). I’m owned by Salzburg; this is a loan. So I will talk to Erik and the coaching staff and see if they want me to stay over here,’’ said Nielsen. When asked if he hoped to be brought back for 2012, he said “I would love to stay over here.’’
Nielsen’s contract is for $120,000 according to MLS Players’ Union figures, not huge in comparison to the average MLS player but overwhelming compared to the level of return on investment. He’s played just two league games _ and saw U.S. Open Cup action last year _ while 2010 team MVP Joel Lindpere earns a base salary of $90,000 this year and Tim Ream just $55,125.
Still, Backe has seen enough in practice and his early action to know what he needs to of Nielsen’s playing ability. If he matches that with an ability to stay healthy, and move past his mental hesitancy of fully trusting his knee, then Backe definitely wants to see him brought back for next season.
“Yeah, yeah absolutely. If he is back to 100 percent, absolutely,’’ said Backe. “The only key is to see that he is back, that he can play his normal game and get rid of this mental thing. Then he definitely is a joker; he can win games. He has a phenomenal strike, he is very sharp 1 v 1. So I think the only thing is just getting him back, and then it is an easy decision.’’
