WASHINGTON, DC, USA — Oneil Fisher was in a good place in his career for club and country.

But in a flash, his progress came to a screeching halt.

The Jamaica international sustained a hobbling injury to the right knee in a US Major League game last September against Montreal FC and his club DC United inside the latter’s Audi Field ground.

Fisher recounts the day of the nightmarish incident.

“I got injured on September 29 and did surgery in November… I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), MCL (medial collateral ligament) and sustained meniscus strain. I did a total of four surgeries, three of them minor follow-ups,” Fisher shared with the Jamaica Observer during the Boyz’s training session in preparation for Wednesday’s training session at Audi Field, the scene of the crime.

But Fisher has been fighting his way back to full fitness as he undergoes an aggressive rehabilitation regimen.

“I have been working hard to get back on the pitch, but it has been really tough, but mentally you have to be strong.

“One of the things I do is try not to think about what happened and stay more focused on working on getting well. I also draw courage from the people around me who keep me positive with their words of encouragement, especially from my teammates, friends and family,” said the Jamaican midfielder, who can also be deployed as a wingback.

But in professional sport, unfortunately injury is part and parcel of the experience, and Fisher fully embraces this reality.

“I find comfort in the fact that injuries will happen and this is not the end of the road for me… right now I am not even focused on playing, but just to get back on the field and being a part of my club team and country,” he noted.

According to the 26-year-old, a possible return to the pitch could come within two months’ time.

“Doctors and medical staff at my club project a return to the field by late July or early August, but you will never know as it could be sooner or later,” Fisher said.

“But I am very motivated and hopeful as the club has been very supportive and I am very appreciative of its help, and also my teammates and the staff,” he added.

Fisher, who previously played for Seattle Sounders before joining DC United, recalled the scenario that resulted in the injury.

“It happened in a game against Montreal FC here in this stadium when the opposing goalkeeper’s knee came in contact with mine and that’s how I sustained the injury.

“When I went down, the trainer came on and did his thing and I said ‘it’s okay, I am fine’, but at that stage I thought I was good because the adrenaline was flowing, so I re-entered the game and I was defending a throw in right after and then I felt my knee buckle, and I said ‘this is not good’ and I indicated to the bench that I have to come off,” he recalled.

Meanwhile, Fisher, who played a key role in Jamaica’s run to the final of the Concacaf Gold Cup where they lost 1-2 to the USA, said the Boyz could lift the trophy this time around if they make the right moves.

“My view is that, once we work hard and focus on the tournament and what we need to do, I can’t see anything going wrong… we have the quality players to start with, but also with the right mentality and drive, there is no doubt that the team will do well,” he shared.

Fisher says he is excited at the prospect of Jamaica historically hosting Gold Cup games, the first time for a Caribbean team.

“It’s been a while since there has been a big tournament game in Jamaica, and I am sure the Jamaican people will be delighted to have this as they will now be able to say we witnessed this.

“It is also important to get back that energy and vibe inside the National Stadium as we had in the past, because of late that passion and support for the football are not there anymore,” noted the former St George’s College Manning Cupper.

Fisher knows he will be missing a momentous occasion as player when the Boyz take on Honduras in their opening match at “The Office” on June 17, but takes heart that he will be cheering his teammates on from the sidelines.

“Thinking about it [not being able to play] is a lot to deal with, but the situation that I am in I will have to miss out, but I am just happy that Jamaica gets to host this tournament and that my teammates get to play for the fans at home and I am happy for that as I feel a part of this team.

“But I will not miss that game, and only God alone can stop me from being there,” Fisher concluded.

In the other Group C match-up of the Kingston double-header, El Salvador will face Curacao.