FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – In the midst of a 3-0-1 run over their last four matches, a second Revolution bye in the span of three weeks seems untimely as they look to carry momentum.
But for Jermaine Jones it is an opportunity to continue to work back towards 100 percent fitness as he eyes a full 90 minutes in New England’s next match in Philadelphia, and beyond that a return to the US national team.
“It’s good,” Jones said of having an extra week to work with. “It comes to the right moment right now that we have the bye, the weeks off. For me, I can get back in fitness and do a lot in training. The next week that comes up, it’s not only club, it’s national team comes too. It’s a couple of weeks where you can say it will be a tough week for me. The week now we’ll work hard to get my fitness back.”
In returning from hernia surgery against Toronto at the beginning of the month, Jones subbed on for the final 14 minutes of play before the team enjoyed their first bye of the season.
Having that extra week to work prior to last Saturday’s tilt against Houston put Jones on track for a 60-minute run before weather and delays held him to just the first half.
Despite slippery conditions, Jones came out on the other side no worse for wear, feeling the normal day-after aches that come with the territory.
“I feel good,” said Jones. “The day after I was a little bit tight and a little bit sore. I think it’s normal. I was happy to make that 45 minutes. We said we want to try to go to 60, but then with all the breaks and we say no risk, it’s enough and it’s good.
“Sometimes you feel something, but it’s normal and now we have to see step-by-step and hope that I get quick back to 100 percent.”
For Jones, getting to 100 percent fitness for his club also means getting back into the USMNT picture, something he is eager to do after missing out on this summer’s Gold Cup.
The Revs match against Philadelphia is a little over a week and a half away and should serve as an indicator for his availability to Jurgen Klinsman and company. The US is set to play two friendlies in the coming weeks, one against Peru on September 4 and the other against Brazil on September 8, a game that will be played on Jones’ home turf in Foxborough.
“I don’t talk right now with Jurgen, but we will be on the phone,” said Jones. “I don’t know when, but we will figure it out, how’s the fitness. If I play [for my club], yeah, I want to go.”
