The sight of Geoff Cameron lugging mulch in the rain as he helped fellow MLSers build a playground was a welcome one for Dynamo fans.
Despite sporting a large band-aid on his right knee, Cameron looked fit and healthy just months after rupturing his PCL on April 24. Many feared the injury would be season-ending, but the 25-year-old midfielder said he will likely return to the field next month.
"Today was my first day out, but it felt really good," said Cameron, who was helping out at an MLS W.O.R.K.S. event in which players and volunteers constructed a playground in a day for a local school. "[The knee] was a little stiff, a little sore, but that's just normal. I'm looking to get back on the field as soon as I can — as long as my body and my knee hold up properly."
Cameron participated fully in practice for the first time this week and is eyeing a mid-August return. However, he is also conscious about needing to return to match fitness before working his way back into the lineup.
Then, when he gets there, he is not sure where he'll play. He started the season in a central attacking midfield role following the departure of Stuart Holden, but he played at center back last year when he was named to the MLS First XI. Houston has struggled defensively lately, most recently dropping a 3-0 decision to Columbus on Saturday.
"Hopefully I'll go back [to center mid], but if not, as long as I'm back playing — it's just a great feeling to be back on the training field again," said Cameron. "Being injured is probably the worst thing I've experienced mentally. You want to be out there supporting your team as best you can."
