Sports Medicine Master System-Chapter 174 - 125: Can Ewing Still Be Treated?

"Chen, what do you think?" Alina asked, turning to Chen Yu.

Chen Yu was at Aztec Stadium, sitting on the bench and watching the game. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

He looked around.

This most famous stadium in North America could hold over 110,000 spectators.

Although the attendance today was only at sixty percent, that was still sixty to seventy thousand people.

Compared to the United States, the soccer atmosphere in Mexico was night and day. In the main stand, one section of fans was clearly an organized group. They wore matching outfits, stood with arms around each other’s shoulders, and roared with fanaticism.

At a glance, they looked like a rolling sea of people.

Chen Yu had only ever seen a spectacle like this at the Super Bowl.

Basketball arenas only hold twenty thousand people at most. The sheer scale was so much smaller.

"It would be nice if they were cheering for us," Chen Yu said, a little envious.

But they were all speaking Spanish, which he couldn’t understand anyway. ’I could just pretend they’re cheering for the United States Team,’ he thought.

’I just wonder when someone will score a goal.’

It was clear the United States Team was playing hard. They were fast, strong in one-on-ones, and their overall physical conditioning was excellent.

After all, their country had a more developed economy and stronger technology.

But their technique was lacking.

It wasn’t that their fundamentals were bad; on the contrary, the United States Team’s fundamentals were very good.

They were just too ordinary. They didn’t have anyone with top-tier technical skill, like Ronaldo.

Players in other countries start training from a young age in a rich soccer culture. They’re immersed in it, so their skills naturally become top-tier.

But in the United States, fewer people play soccer, and professional training starts later, so their technical skills were bound to be inferior.

Of course, Chen Yu was just a casual observer. He couldn’t even tell which team had the upper hand on the field.

Just as he was watching, Mexico’s captain, Marquez, won the ball in his own half and launched a long pass. The ball flew over fifty yards, landing perfectly for a player on the right wing.

The veteran Mexican forward Cuauhtémoc Blanco—the one who invented the "frog hop" at the ’98 World Cup—leapt to control the ball with his chest. As he landed, he hooked it with his right foot, using his arms to shield the ball and shove past a defender as he charged toward the goal.

In an instant, Mexico’s two forwards cut through the defense like twin blades.

The other forward, Boggetti, followed up at speed, a green bolt of lightning tearing through the United States Team’s defensive line.

Alina instantly stood up and rushed nervously to the sideline.

Chen Yu also subconsciously craned his neck to look.

’Feels like they’re about to score,’ he thought.

After drawing the attention of the entire back line, Blanco didn’t make a cross to Boggetti. Instead, he chose to pass it back.

Mexico’s number 11, the attacking midfielder, ran onto the ball and unleashed a thunderous shot.

The ball flew like a lightning bolt through the penalty area. The United States Team’s goalkeeper, Friedel, barely moved as he watched it sail into the net.

The shot came too suddenly. It was a world-class strike that blasted through the entire defensive line, giving him no time to react.

Alina jumped up and down on the spot in frustration.

The moment the goal was scored, Chen Yu subconsciously wanted to clap.

It was like his mindset hadn’t switched over yet. He still felt like a spectator, and since it was a great goal, his instinct was to applaud.

Fortunately, he caught himself in time. Otherwise, that would have been awkward.

The entire stadium erupted.

Those fanatic fans in the main stand even lit up smoke flares.

Green smoke spread, filling the entire stand.

The security guards didn’t even bother to intervene.

Alina paid them no mind, standing on the sideline with his arms crossed and a grim expression.

For the rest of the half, the United States Team managed to organize a few attacks, but they all fizzled out.

The first half ended, the players came off the field.

But Chen Yu’s work was just beginning. He didn’t need the players to tell him what was wrong; with the help of the Eye of All-Seeing, he could spot which ones had issues.

The physical contact in soccer was intense. Several players had bruises from collisions.

But the issues weren’t serious. The most Chen Yu could do was use the limited time to give them massages for relief.

"Chen, do you think Donovan can play?" Alina came over and asked in a low voice.

Chen Yu had treated Donovan yesterday and suggested he rest for this game. After considering it, Alina had agreed.

But now, with the team trailing, he was reconsidering and wanted to put Donovan in.

Donovan was young, an attacking midfielder with great range. He played with flair, always managing to find opportunities and appear in the right place at the right time. Since they were already behind, Alina’s only option was to bolster the offense and pressure Mexico’s defense.

Chen Yu sighed inwardly.

This was the root cause of why athletes were always injured and never fully healed.

The team needs you, so you often have to play through an injury. Then, a minor injury turns into a major one.

After thinking seriously for a moment, Chen Yu nodded.

’Donovan’s condition is actually fine,’ he thought.

Even if he hadn’t been here, Alina would have probably played him in this match anyway.

"Thanks." Alina’s face brightened. He was the head coach, yes, but Chen Yu was the team doctor—and one personally brought in by Contiguglia. He couldn’t simply ignore Chen’s recommendation.

Unexpectedly, Donovan, playing through his injury, actually made a huge contribution.

In the 74th minute, United States forward Brian McBride charged into the penalty area. As he twisted and turned, he caught a glimpse of Donovan making a sudden run from the back right. With a flick of his foot, he chipped the ball over.

Donovan leaped into the air and headed the ball. It bounced off the ground and right into the net.

Off the field, Chen Yu was stunned for a good while before he realized the United States Team had scored.

Beside him, Alina and the others were already hugging each other in excitement.

An assistant coach hugged Chen Yu tightly, shouting excitedly.

’We only just tied the score. Is it necessary to be this excited? At least wait until we’re in the lead to celebrate.’

’Oh well, might as well celebrate.’

’Donovan scored that goal, so I deserve at least some of the credit, right?’

Just when Chen Yu thought the United States Team had gained momentum and would win the game, the match fell into a stalemate again.

And the score remained unchanged for the rest of the game.

In fact, during stoppage time, the United States Team had a great opportunity from a corner kick, but unfortunately, McBride’s header was right at the keeper, who blocked it with his leg.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Contiguglia appeared next to the bench at some point and asked Chen Yu how he felt.

"Chen, this should be your first time watching a soccer game live, right?"

Chen Yu nodded. It really was his first time.

"It was good. It’s not as explosive as American football, but watching the whole game keeps you on the edge of your seat, always wondering when someone will score. That experience is pretty nice."

In Chen Yu’s opinion, American football was all about fast-paced clashes and big advances right from the get-go.

Soccer, on the other hand, felt more like it had a bit of foreplay, a slow build-up of tension that finally erupted with passion when a goal was scored.

In short, it was a completely different experience.

Contiguglia smiled and said, "See? Soccer matches are great to watch, too. They have their own appeal."

At this, he couldn’t help but sigh. "Sometimes I really don’t get why Americans don’t like soccer. Did you know a media outlet once ran a poll asking how to make soccer more entertaining? A ton of people voted that they should get rid of the goalkeeper to make scoring easier."

Chen Yu laughed. That sounded perfectly in line with the straightforward, brute-force American mentality.

After a few words of idle chat, Contiguglia thanked him again.

He had seen it clearly. Donovan’s performance on the field today was noticeably better; his groin injury wasn’t troubling him as much.

And that was all because Chen Yu had treated him.

Therefore, Chen Yu deserved a great deal of credit for them managing a draw against Mexico today.

"Nothing to thank me for. There are two months until the next match. Have Donovan come to my clinic. In two months, I’ll give you back a completely healthy player." It was the off-season, and Donovan’s condition required rest and recovery anyway.

Contiguglia smiled and said: "I was just thinking the same thing."

After interacting with him for the past two days, he finally understood why so many top players sought out Chen Yu for treatment.

Chen Yu’s medical skills were truly on another level.

After celebrating in Mexico, Chen Yu did not return to the United States with the team, but flew directly back to Phoenix.

The next game wouldn’t be until September.

But he would still need to report to the team ahead of time for that one.

Donovan didn’t come with him. He had to go back to his home in California to arrange things first, then come to Phoenix.

When he heard he would be going to Chen Yu’s clinic and might get to meet his idols, the kid was more than happy to agree.

He was dragging his suitcase out of the airport when a crowd of reporters cornered him.

"Jack, how did you guys know I was coming back today?" Chen Yu looked at a familiar reporter.

They were obviously here to ambush him.

The reporter, Jack, was from Phoenix Television. He smiled and said, "Chen, the media already reported that you were serving as the National Team’s doctor. Of course we knew you’d be back today."

’So much for the media not covering the National Team,’ Chen Yu thought.

"Has Hakeem signed?"

Chen Yu was stunned for a moment.

The reporters were here to ask about Olajuwon.

Yesterday, the NBA free agency market had officially opened, and several deals had already been made on the first day.

On the Phoenix Suns’ end, Brian had also completed his first signing.

They had sent Dudley, along with a ’02 first-round pick and a second-round pick, to the Rockets in a sign-and-trade to acquire Olajuwon.

The Rockets would sign Olajuwon to a three-year, 18 million US dollar contract as part of the deal.

As expected, the Phoenix Suns paid the price of two draft picks, which was exactly what the rebuilding Rockets needed.

As for Dudley.

Chen Yu speculated that Brian probably added him intentionally.

If they signed Olajuwon, the Suns’ frontcourt would be a bit crowded, and the aging Dudley, with his six-million-dollar contract, was a burden.

He was different from Gugliotta.

Gugliotta’s was a truly terrible contract. While Dudley’s contract was also bad, it was an expiring contract that would be off the books next year.

This was probably also the reason the Rockets were willing to take him.

It would help them reach the salary floor, and they could just let it expire next year to free up cap space.

The reporters were asking if there was any inside story about Olajuwon’s signing, since several teams had clearly stated they wanted to pursue him.

To these questions, Chen Yu pleaded ignorance. "Sorry, I’m just the team doctor. The front office’s moves have nothing to do with me."

Saying that, he tried to push through the reporters to leave.

But the reporters weren’t about to let him go.

If it weren’t for Chen Yu performing surgery and treatment for Olajuwon, Olajuwon wouldn’t necessarily have been pursued by so many teams.

He ended up signing with the Phoenix Suns, and Chen Yu was the Suns’ team doctor. Many reporters suspected that some illegal tampering might have been involved.

Chen Yu remained tight-lipped, pushing his way through the reporters to get outside the airport.

The clinic had sent a car over.

Getting in the car to return to the clinic, Chen Yu was about to call Brian to ask about the details when he suddenly got an incoming call.

It was John Weisbrod.

"What’s up, John?" Chen Yu answered the call.

On the phone, Weisbrod started with a bunch of pleasantries, and enthusiastically invited Chen Yu to come back to Orlando for a visit sometime.

"John, what is it you really want to talk about?" Chen Yu finally asked, unable to stand the endless rambling.

Only then did Weisbrod get to the point. "Chen, do you think Ewing’s knees can be treated?"

Chen Yu was stunned for a moment and asked him what he meant.

Weisbrod’s tone was tinged with resentment. "We were originally planning to go after Olajuwon, but he signed with the Phoenix Suns."

Back when the playoffs were ending, he had been the first one to ask Chen Yu about Olajuwon’s condition, with plans to sign him for the next season.

And now, the Phoenix Suns had snatched him up.

Weisbrod didn’t believe that Chen Yu had no hand in this.

"Ewing didn’t have a great time with the Supersonics, and they don’t plan on re-signing him now that his contract is up. If... let’s say, he were to receive your treatment and could get back into some semblance of his old form, we’d be very interested in signing him."

Both are legendary centers. If Olajuwon could regain some of his ability after being treated by Chen Yu, then why couldn’t Ewing?

Based on last season’s performance, Ewing was in even better shape than Olajuwon.