After spending many months – too many months – on the sideline, Cameron Porter exults: he reintegrated the group in training this week. His joy to put on the boots and meet his teammates on the pitch was obvious.
“Every day you feel like you’re closer. You’re getting your touches on the field, going up against good defenders. It’s really about getting your awareness back, understanding how the ball moves, how the team is flowing. It’s different when you train on your own than when you’re back on the field with the group. You can see where the chemistry is.”
Even though he played less than 90 career minutes in the Bleu-blanc-noir uniform, Porter is already intrinsically linked to the club’s history: his injury time goal against Pachuca will live long in IMFC folklore. Unfortunately, a little over two weeks after this feat, he tore the ACL in his left knee. He made his comeback during the last training camp, but later suffered a hamstring injury, at the beginning of March.
“I feel great. We did tests inside the gym, my leg strength is amazing. I feel really good. My body feels great.”
The Ohioan is of course eager to wear again the Impact jersey and to get back in the mix, but he doesn’t have a definite timetable and knows he has to stay patient.
“Right now, I’m just working on getting my fitness, making sure it’s at 100%. Whenever the coach feels I’m ready, that’s when I’ll be ready.”
