Speaking of knees…

When the Quakes acquired Ronnie O’Brien in preseason, it was reported that one of the reasons his former employers, Toronto FC, gave up on him was that they were afraid his tender right knee would break down again. Given what has transpired over the last several days, those concerns were turned up a notch.

O’Brien sat out part of  last Thursday’s session, was substituted after a very productive hour on Saturday, and sat out part of Tuesday’s session as well. So are the Quakes’ worst fears being realized? Not according to O’Brien. It turns out that the Irishman recently went off some anti-inflammatory medication he was taking, and what do you know, some fluid began to build up in his knee. As a result, O’Brien began a five week course of injections on Monday in order to combat the swelling. He added that he fully expects to train the rest of the week, as well as play in the Sunday matchup against New York. Still, it’s a development that will bear continued scutiny as the season goes on.