Confounding NYCFC top prospect dealt costly blow
An injury is the last thing Khiry Shelton — and New York City FC — needed right now.
Seven games into what could be considered a make-or-break season, Shelton now is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, the team announced Monday, after he suffered a hamstring injury in the final minutes of NYCFC’s 2-0 win against the Philadelphia Union on Friday night.
Injuries aren’t new to Shelton, who’s been plagued by them in his two seasons in The Bronx. Shelton was considered a cant-miss prospect when NYCFC drafted him No. 2 overall out of Oregon State in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, but the striker has only showed glimpses of that promise.
During his rookie season, Shelton missed 15 matches and recorded just one goal and one assist in 17 appearances. But in 2016, Shelton started to show hints of his potential, appearing in January camp with the United States men’s national team and posting four goals and nine assists in 22 games with NYCFC.
Despite his production last year, Shelton, 23, has been used solely as a substitute this season, playing all of 62 minutes in four games.
Even with NYCFC’s renewed depth up front, Shelton has thrived off the bench, especially late in games. Although he hasn’t appeared in any noteworthy statistical categories, the forward has offered valuable service in the air, averaging .3 aerials won per game — a pretty remarkable tally considering he only gets about 15 minutes per appearance. His ability to hold up play in the attacking end and track back late in games are qualities head coach Patrick Vieira cannot easily replace, especially since Shelton’s work rate has improved dramatically from seasons past.
Shelton’s injury could spell more minutes for fan-favorite Tommy McNamara, who has flourished off the bench this season and deserves more time on the field. It also could pave the way for Jonathan Lewis, the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s MLS SuperDraft, who has appeared in just one game this season. Neither player, though, offers the defensive approach that Shelton brings late in games.
NYCFC will be back on the field Sunday (1:30 PM; FS1) when they host Orlando City at Yankee Stadium.