Anthony Hudson: Stefan Aigner getting on the field 'down to performance'

Anthony Hudson: Stefan Aigner getting on the field comes ‘down to performance’

Aigner has had a tough start to the 2018 MLS season. He missed a portion of the preseason getting his green card paperwork done so he didn’t take up an international roster spot this year. It is well documented that he was sick for over a week during that time as well that limited his involvement in the preseason and the CONCACAF Champions League series against Toronto FC.

Since then, Aigner has returned to training without physical or medical limitations for several weeks. He made his season debut off the bench on March 31, a 3-0 home win over Philadelphia Union. Aigner has not seen the field or even been a part of the team sheet since that game.

“Now it’s down to performance and him having to make the 18. It’s as simple as that. The detail of that is between me and him,” Rapids Manager Anthony Hudson told Last Word on Soccer this week after training.

Hudson has made it clear that Aigner has been available for selection the last few games. There’s no secret injury or fitness concern with him. His inclusion or exclusion from the lineup at this point is purely a coach’s decision.

There’s been a lot of speculation about a reported scuffle between the player and coaching staff during training two weeks ago now that supposedly damaged that relationship and put Aigner in the doghouse. Last Word on Soccer does not care for speculation, inferences, or analysis based on hearsay.

There was a less than harmonious conversation a few weeks ago between Hudson and Aigner in training. Aigner left training for the day after that. He has not played or been on the bench since. No party wants to talk about it beyond the details Hudson gave in the quote above.

If Aigner wants to see the field soon, he should show up and be the best player in training. If he does that, everything else will work itself out, whether he’s being judged fairly or unfairly by his superiors.