FC Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman was subbed at halftime of the match against the New York Red Bulls after sustaining an MCL injury in a dead ball incident with Thierry Henry.
The incident occurred late in the first half following a New York goal in the 45th minute by Mehdi Ballouchy. Henry attempted to blast the ball back into the net and hit it at the same time Hartman attempted to control it. The resulting jar wrenched Hartman's knee, causing the injury.
There is no word from the club at this time on the length of time Hartman may miss, and the keeper will probably be re-evaluated over the next few days.
FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman confirmed the MCL injury and indicated the club may ask for review of the incident from the MLS.
"I think somebody from our administration probably will do that," Hyndman said. "It’s not just the incident. It’s the weight it’s putting on all of us now. Hartman, I thought, was up for MVP of the league. I thought he was just outstanding. Now, we’re going to have to call in a pool goalkeeper. It was something that was not necessary. So we’ll see what happens.”
Henry called the incident unfortunate.
“The ball was there and like I do sometimes, I just wanted to kick the ball back in the net," Henry said. "He put his foot out there and that’s how he got injured. That was unfortunate. I went to apologize at halftime because I didn’t mean to hurt him. He put his foot out there and I just wanted to smash the ball back in the net. A pure accident. I told him I was sorry. He accepted it. It was one of those stupid things.”
The referee for the match, Hilario Grajeda, said there was no grounds for a yellow card to Henry.
“Basically, from I what I see, right after they scored the goal, they both go to kick the ball at the same time. They never connect knees or anything. They just nailed the ball at the same time. That was pretty much it, yeah.”
Hartman seemed a bit mystified about the whole incident.
"I'm not real sure exactly how it happened. We'd given up the goal, obviously, and it was just one of those things where you want to get the ball back to midfield. Henry went to hit the ball and I tried to intercede and unfortunately, I hurt myself, or got hurt."
Hartman, ever the diplomat, didn't seem interested in assigning blame when asked if Henry was at fault.
"I don't know. I don't really want to start anything in the media about it. It's just one of those things that happens. It's a passionate game."
Dario Sala came on at halftime for FCD and put in a solid performance, his first action since facing New England on May 1.