Stoke City boss Mark Hughes was left fuming as Brek Shea injured his knee following a challenge from Michael Kassel during the Premier Leagueclub’s 2-0 win against the Philadelphia Union.
“It was a nasty injury. It looks like some damage to the ligaments in his knee,” Hughes said. “He’s going to be scanned.I thought it was a very, very poor challenge by the boy. What the hell was he was thinking of, I have no idea. It’s a friendly game. You need to protect your fellow professional. And Idon’t think the guy did that.”
Shea, fresh from scoring the winner in the USA’s 1-0 Gold Cup final victory against Panama, was in crutches as he addressed the media.”Obviously I’m pretty upset right now. I was excited to get back to Stoke and get ready for the season. Hopefully it’s not as bad as it feels.” The U.S. international defender Kassel,saying, “He was going for the ball. I tried to put my body in front of his and it’s soccer. Tackles happen – good and bad. I’ve done worse to other people. I’m not mad atall.”
Kassel, who has only played 33 minutes for the Union this season, said, “Obviously I didn’t mean to do that. I’m friends with the kid. … There was no intent at all. Iwish him all the best and I apologize for the tackle.”