After out for more than a month with a hamstring strain, Frankie Hejduk returned to action as the Columbus Crew defeated Ohio State in the eighth annual Connor Senn Memorial Game, 3-1.
Hejduk, who had not played a game since the United States' 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in World Cup qualifying on April 1, entered the game in the 60th minute and showed enough during his half hour on the field to convince Crew head coach Robert Warzycha that he is ready for his second start of the MLS season. "It was a good start for him," Warzycha told the Columbus Dispatch. "He didn't feel anything bad so I think he will be ready to go on Saturday."
On Saturday, Hejduk will try to help the scuffling defending champ Crew earn its first victory of the season when it faces Kansas City. Hejduk's return also comes just weeks before Bob Bradley and the United States begin training for a loaded summer schedule that includes two World Cup qualifiers, the Confederations Cup and the Gold Cup.