Report: Kemar Lawrence out of 2018 MLS Eastern Conference Final first leg

Kemar Lawrence will not start the first leg of the New York Red Bulls’ Eastern Conference final series against Atlanta United. Along with its starting lineup for the game, RBNY revealed Lawrence suffered a training-ground injury and his timeline for recovery is “day-to-day”.

The Jamaica international was not the match-day squad for RBNY’s November 25 Eastern Conference Final opener against Atlanta. Connor Lade took the start at left back.

It is not at all unusual for RBNY to keep injury news to itself until the last possible minute, especially when the knock is to a player as significant to the Red Bulls’ cause as Lawrence.

“Day-to-day” is a designation that suggests Lawrence’s injury won’t keep him off the field for long, but RBNY does not have very long between legs of the Eastern Conference Final. The second leg will be played at Red Bull Arena on November 29.