According to head coach Chris Armas, Kemar Lawrence should be ready to play against Orlando City SC Saturday. (Photo courtesy of MLS)

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

HARRISON, N.J. — Kemar Lawrence is ready to roll — and that’s good news for the Red Bulls in so many ways.

The Jamaican international left back and 2018 MLS Best XI defender is ready to return to the lineup, says head coach Chris Armas.

That’s certainly good news for the Red Bulls as his replacement Saturday, Kyle Duncan, had many problems on the left flank trying to keep up with Valeri Qazaishvili in the opening half of the 4-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes at Red Bull Arena Saturday.

Lawrence has been recuperating from a knee injury he incurred during last year’s playoffs.

After the Red Bulls polished off the Quakes, Armas stressed that the team was bringing back Lawrence slowly.

“H’e’s playing — he’s all in on training,” he said. “He’s getting the fitness going. What we do here for the Red Bulls, we look out for the people. We look out for the players and we look out for the person.

“We’re trying to bring him along the right way and not put him in harm’s way. We’re trying to bring him along the right way, so we’ve taken calculated steps to get him ready, not just ready for the 45 minutes or 60 minutes so he can step in and run with it. He’s back to his old self, putting fear in everyone in training. But yeah, he’s ready.”

So, will Lawrence feature in the Red Bulls’ next game? That would be against Orlando City SC at Red Bull Arena Saturday night.