KANSAS CITY – Few players mean as much to the New York Red Bulls this season as Ronald Zubar.

Unfortunately for them, he has already given his club a slight scare.

Red Bulls boss Jesse Marsch unexpectedly pulled Zubar in the 77th minute of the team’s 1-1 draw against Sporting KC on the road. The reason? Injury.

“Ronald picked up a little bit of a hamstring injury and felt it was hard to keep going so we had to make that change,” Marsch told reporters via conference call. “We don’t think it’s that severe, but it was enough of an injury that he felt like he was limited in his movements.

The 29-year-old Frenchman has been dubbed the heir apparent to Jamison Olave’s role as defensive leader by the new Red Bulls’ boss. And for 77 minutes, he played the role, helping to stave off a dangerous Sporting KC attack before making way for Matt Miazga — who did not fair as well under pressure.

Zubar suffered a similar injury late last year with Ajaccio, out for a month recuperating his hamstring. However, the French veteran has maintained relative health throughout most of his career, dulling the notion of a recurring problem.

“We are hopeful. He gets scanned tomorrow morning and he has been evaluated this morning,” Marsch said. “We are hoping it is more of the 7-10 day variety. We will know more in the next day or so.”

The timing would be perfect for New York, as they enter a bye-week before meeting DC United at home the following week.