Report: Aurelien Collin and Connor Lade downed in Houston, not necessarily out for Orlando

Two New York Red Bulls took knocks in the team's last outing - the humbling 4-1 loss to Houston Dynamo - and Kristian Dyer, reporting for Metro (no relation), has updates on both.

Per Dyer, Aurelien Collin was held out of RBNY training on Tuesday, April 5, but head coach Jesse Marsch is optimistic about the veteran center back's recovery from what is described as a quadriceps injury:

We’re hopeful that he even becomes an option for the weekend. I think he’ll be training by Thursday.

Of course, the last player Marsch expected to be back in training by (last week) Thursday is currently in Argentina. And the suggestion that the team is "hopeful that he even becomes an option for the weekend" suggests Collin isn't really expected to bounce back in time to play against Orlando on April 9 - just that he could if things go well for him this week.

With Gideon Baah out for the season, the Red Bulls are well aware they are a little light at center back at the moment. Absent Collin, the team still has Damien Perrinelle and Aaron Long - its preferred center back pairing for most of the season to date. But the fourth-choice first team CB is currently a toss-up between Justin Bilyeu and Hassan Ndam. The former is traditionally considered RBNY's back-up left back, though he did play center back for NYRB II while the first team was in Houston. And 18-year-old Ndam is two USL games into his pro soccer career. The defense starts to look a little lightweight if Collin isn't back soon.

On a slightly brighter note, Connor Lade - who reportedly took a bang to the ribs in Houston - was in training on Tuesday. Per Dyer, he had an abbreviated session as part of his recovery plan. Lade has started at right back for RBNY's last two matches, though his position would seem well covered: Sal Zizzo had been a regular starter at RB under Jesse Marsch, and new recruit Michael Murillo is apparently making himself increasingly difficult to overlook. Still, the team is better off if a starting lineup is being picked more on merit than mere availability.

The countdown to RBNY's next game - against Orlando - is underway. Reports out of training will hopefully keep fans advised of how Collin and Lade are progressing toward the goal of being included in the 18-man squad for that match.