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MLS Ticker: Timbers defender Horst undergoes knee surgery, TFC and Impact sign Argentines

David Horst (12)

By DAN KARELL

You know it’s a bad injury when the opposing player is calling for help.

Houston Dynamo forward Giles Barnes was involved in an innocuous challenge in the box with Portland Timbers’ defender David Horst that saw the latter fall to the ground in agony, clutching his right knee in the 15th minute of Saturday’s 2-0 win. Barnes, as well as the rest of the Timbers defense, immediately waved to the sidelines for help, sensing a serious injury.

Horst was soon stretchered off, and today the Timbers announced via their official Twitter feed that the 27-year-old had undergone surgery for a displaced tibial plateau fracture. The club hasn’t included any sort of timetable, but the most conservative estimates call for no weight on the knee for at least three months.

In a bit of positive news for the club, designated player Diego Valeri, who also went off in the first half last Saturday, has been cleared to begin “return-to-play protocol” after leaving the match when he was elbowed in the face on Saturday.

Here are some more stories to catch you up around the league:

IMPACT COMPLETE SIGNING OF RODRIGUEZ

With one of the oldest starting lineups in the league, the Montreal Impact have made a move to add some youth to their squad.

On Monday afternoon, the club announced that they had acquired Argentinian midfielder Maximiliano Rodriguez on loan until the end of the 2013 season. The 19-year-old comes to Montreal from Argentinos Juniors, where he has made eight appearances with the club since his debut in 2010.

According to the club’s press release, Rodriguez trained at Atletico Madrid’s academy between 2007-2009 before moving back to Argentina.

TORONTO FC CLOSE TO SIGNING LABA

Last week, reports out of Canada were that Toronto FC had signed Argentinian forward Maximiliano Urruti from Newell’s Old Boys, with another Argentinian player, rumored to be a Young DP midfielder, expected to be joining Urruti in Toronto.

As of Monday, it looks like the unknown midfielder has been identified. According to the Toronto Sun, TFC is closing in on a deal for 21-year-old midfielder Matias Laba of Argentinos Juniors. The report states that the Canadian club will pay a fee for the former Argentina U-20 midfielder, with the deal being a loan with the option to purchase.

Both Urruti and Laba, according to those with knowledge of the transfer, will arrive in Toronto at the end of April. The two played for their club sides this past weekend, as Urruti started but was substituted in the 57th minute, and Laba started and played the full match, picking up a yellow card.

What do you make of these reports? Who do you see replacing Horst in the Timbers back four. What do you make of Montreal’s signing? Do you see TFC sending Bostock or Ephraim back to England to make room for the Argentines?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. What does a pro soccer player like Horst do for at least 3 months when he can’t put any weight on his knee? That’s got to be tough.

    Reply
    • He will become the best FIFA ’13 player which is what every player does when they are on the shelf for a while. 🙂

      Seriously, I assume he’ll be involved with a heavy dose of rehab for several hours a day. It will be tough.

      Reply
    • I agree. Although if grass gets real dry on hard ground you can do something similar…..the cleats’ll just stick instead of slide. But I’m not a fan of the turf surfaces or the modular grass stuff, I don’t think they’re as good for legs as a well watered grass field. I know the NW has its particular climate demands but I’m never going to be wild about soccer on turf, not particularly pleased we’re playing a quali on it.

      Reply
  2. David Horst is a class player. Leaves it all on the field, every game, never questioned by coaches or teammates. Tough to see him go down. Recover soon!

    Reply

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