While it’s been reported that Juan Pablo Angel’s hamstring has been the source of the problem in the last couple of weeks, Big Apple Soccer has a different outlook.

After an MRI revealed the results, Head Athletic Trainer Rick Guter has confirmed that Angel suffers from Spondylosis, a degeneration of the  vertebrae that pinches the nerves and results in the feeling of numbness in the legs (hamstrings, calf and shin).

Angel isn’t the only player afflicted with this diagnosis.  Eddie Pope, NBA/Soccer star Steve Nash and even myself all have the same issue.

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Take a look at two teams in name only.  Above is Red Bulls Salzburg in blue and New York Red Bulls in white and all is not well after a scrappy affair the other day that led to a Dane Richards knee injury.

Notice Juan Pablo Angel and Claudio Reyna far, far, far away from the Austrian boys.

image via RedBullsReader

As I was going over some MLS stuff this morning, it got me thinking about the 2008 campaign and more importantly thinking about Jozy Altidore. The US Full team, U-23 (Olympic) and New York Red Bull forward has been given some time off by new Red Bull coach Juan Carlos Osorio after having been involved with 2 camps before the MLS pre-season even started. Only still 18 years old, Bob Bradley has done an excellent job bringing the extremely talented young star along, starting with camps, then substitutions appearances and finally full games with the Full National Team, but there’s still room to worry.

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The latest in the Zinedine Zidane/MLS saga has surfaced with Red Bull New York being the club of choice since his desire to play 18 months after walking away from the game has returned. IF this is real, then Red Bull needs to make an offer similar to what Beckham was given, a big part of the cut (think jersey sales up 700%).

The league has started to become more visible/relevant throughout the world due to signing like Angel, Beckham and Blanco (think television contracts and revenue that the league is receiving, not paying for), but throw in Zidane and the curiosity worldwide will go nuts. The trickle down effect of the Designated Player has yet to see it’s full impact, something that should happen within the next five years, but throw in the amount of Ex-MLS/National Team players involved in the league and US Soccer (think Nowak, Cabrera and Pareja) that is impacting players at a much YOUNGER age, where we’re at now compared to five years ago is day and night.