Freeman injured
INJURED HUNTER Freeman forced from Olympic title match
Nashville, Tenn. -- Red Bulls defender Hunter Freeman suffered a leg injury in the first half of the United States' encounter with Honduras in the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying match Sunday afternoon.
Freeman appeared to have injured his ankle in the 20th minute after he was clipped by Honduras' David Alejandro Molina, who was awarded a yellow card on the play.
The extent of the injury to Hunter's right leg was not known.
He was replaced by team captain Maurice Edu in the 27th minute. When Freeman left the LP Field, he walked under his own power. A U.S. trainer worked on his leg for several minutes.
If Freeman sustained an injury, it certainly won't be good news for the Red Bulls, who are thin already with midfielder Dane Richards out until June with a MCL tear.
Freeman, a natural defender, could wind up playing midfield for New York this season.
Unlike the rest of the league, the Red Bulls won't play their opening MLS game of the season until April 5, when they host the Columbus Crew at Giants Stadium.
U.S. coach Peter Nowak had a limited roster from which to choose players as several players were returned to their European clubs. For example, midfielder Freddy Adu rejoined Benfica (Portugal) and Jonathan Spector, who played central defense in Thursday's 3-0 win over Canada, flew back to West Ham United (England).
Canada takes third
In the third-place match in the first game of the doubleheader, Canada overcame Guatemala in the penalty-kick shootout, 5-3, after the teams played to a scoreless tie after 120 minutes of regulation and extratime.