It's been a long road back for New England Revolution defender Edgar Castillo, but he's finally back training with his teammates.
Castillo suffered two broken ribs and a punctured lung in the Revs' 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls in August, and is thankful he's back on the practice field.
"Well, it happened against New York, against the Red Bulls," Castillo said Tuesday, according to revolutionsoccer.net. "I had two broken ribs and a punctured lung so, I mean, it's hard to come back and recover for almost two months now. But, thank God I'm back out here and training."
"I mean, there was a collision. I thought it was nothing serious but, after the game, I felt a little, like, without not breathing and stuff like that. So, the next day I went to the hospital and that's what the x-ray came up with."
Although he wasn't a part of New England's historic turnaround the past couple of months, he appreciates what his team has been able to accomplish.
"I mean, I'm happy for the guys that we made playoffs and we're on a good run," Castillo said. "And for me being on the side and watching them, who doesn't want to be in the field playing? But, I'm trying to do my best, trying to get fit and trying to get back."
The 33-year-old is hoping to be available for Saturday's playoff matchup with Atlanta United, but isn't guaranteeing anything -- especially considering he hasn't seen game action in months.
"Well, I do. I hope I get to get some playing time, but I mean I don't feel fit. I'm not 100 percent, so that depends on Bruce [Arena]."
Even if he doesn't have the opportunity to play, Castillo stressed the importance of playing a perfect game on the road in order to secure a victory.
"I mean it's different, it's going to be a tight game going down there. We already played them, they beat us 3-1. But, it's a whole different game. It's a playoff game. It's, like you said, do-or-die. If we play a perfect game, we have a good chance of going to the next round."
The Revs have yet to beat Atlanta this season, so New England will be looking to redeem itself at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.
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