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MLS West Notes: Zakuani to undergo surgery, Busch named MLS’s Humanitarian of the Month; and more

Steve Zakuani

 

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

BY MIKE DONOVAN 

The Seattle Sounders will be without Steve Zakuani for at least six weeks, as the 25-year-old is preparing to undergo surgery for what head coach Sigi Schmid calls a “sports hernia type of injury.”

After suffering a horrific leg injury in April 2011, Zakuani has made 14 appearances with Seattle since his return in July of 2012.

“He’s had to deal with numerous things in his career and it’s a new one he has to deal with,” Schmid said to the Seattle Times.

Here are some more news and notes from around the Western Conference heading into MLS Week 15 action:

CHIVAS USA

Goats striker Julio Morales has featured for the Mexico U-20 side in multiple matches in the Toulon Tournament currently taking place in France. Morales scored the first goal for Mexico in the tournament opener against Nigeria and started in Mexico’s 3-3 draw with Portugal.

Morales was born and raised in California and is eligible for both Mexico and US at the senior level. The 19-year-old forward is currently on loan to Chivas USA from their parent club, C.D. Guadalajara and has played four league matches for the Goats.

COLORADO RAPIDS

Colorado’s leading scorer last season, Jaime Castrillon, is expected to make his 2013 debut when the Rapids reserves team takes on Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday. Castrillon hasn’t played in a match since offseason surgery on his right knee.

The former Colombian International led Colorado with eight goals last season, his first with the Rapids. Castrillon will be fighting for his spot in the midfield against the likes of Atiba Harris and Martin Rivero.

FC DALLAS

George John is currently the longest-tenured FC Dallas player, having joined the club after being selected in the first round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Since joining the club, John has emerged as a consistent starter for the Texas club and has formed a centerback partnership with Matt Hedges. The Washington native has made 101 starts for the club in his four-plus seasons.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY

The Galaxy had two players featured in international matches this week, with Robbie Keane playing for Ireland and Omar Gonzalez suiting up for the US. Keane made his 125th appearance for Ireland, tying him for the all-time appearance record with Shay Given and will likely get the record by himself when Ireland takes on the Faroe Islands on Friday.

Gonzalez, meanwhile, made his fifth-consecutive start for the US and will likely be back on the pitch for Friday’s World Cup Qualifier at Jamaica.

PORTLAND TIMBERS

With the Timbers having last weekend off, their reserve team traveled to Florida to take on VSI Tampa Bay of the USL Pro league. The match featured eight goals as the clubs battled to a 4-4 draw.

The four Timber goals were scored by Michael Nanchoff, Sebastian Rincon, Jose Adolfo Valencia, and Sal Zizzo while the club rallied from a 4-1 halftime deficit. Nanchoff leads the reverses in goals this season, having scored four times.

REAL SALT LAKE

After struggling to score goals at the beginning of the season, RSL is leading MLS in goals scored over the last six weeks. RSL has put the ball in the back-of-the-net 14 times in their last six matches.

The club’s most recent romp was a 3-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes. It was the club’s seventh game with multiple goals this season, five of which have taken place since May 4.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES

Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch was named MLS Humanitarian of the Month for June, due to his work for the Navy Seal Foundation. Busch and the Earthquakes raised money for the NSF last season and plan to hold a fundraiser during San Jose’s June 29 match against the LA Galaxy. Fans who buy seats in a designated section for the Galaxy match will also get the chance to chat with Busch after the game.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS 

Jay DeMerit, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon injury in the opening minutes of Vancouver’s 2013 season opener, still plans on playing sometime this season for Vancouver, according to The Province.

“I think I’d be disappointed and I think the medical staff would be disappointed if I didn’t play a part this season,” said the former US International to the newspaper. “But these type of injuries aren’t a timeline issue. It’s a month-at-a-time issue.”

DeMerit has recently started jogging again and has worked out on an underwater treadmill as part of his rehab.

Comments

  1. Thank you for the Nanchoff stats Ives. Leads the Portland reserves in scoring as a midfielder yet he has not made a game day roster for the timbers? Cant understand Porter not showing the guy more love when he CLEARLY was the most infleuntial player in Akrons 2010 championship season.

    Reply
    • @zip In large part your answer about Nanchoff’s playing time (or lack of it) is that if there’s one area where Portland’s already stacked it’s the midfield. Which of our midfielders do you suggest Porter bench to get this guy minutes? Chara, Will Johnson, or Diego Valeri? That’s just the preferred starters. Nanchoff clearly has some upside, but these guys are a huge part of the reason the Timbers are where they are this season.

      Reply
  2. you suck brian mullan. you took out a guy who I tuned in to MLS to watch. now he is out again and I am reminded of how you cant deal/be a good sport. There are so many players better than you that dont sniff first team starts. Still shaking my head

    Reply
    • What does Brian Mullan have to dowith Zakuani’s sports hernia? Not to mention, Mullan and Zakuani reconciled. For what it is worth,…I have enjoyed watching Brian Mullan play.

      If I wanted to be a real jerk,…I could say,…if that damn ref had blown his whistle when Mullan was fouled,…then Mullan would have not flown off the handle and fouled Zakuani.

      Reply
    • Ignorant post. Both players have moved on. Mullan is about to retire and has multiple MLS cups. Real MLS fans don’t need haters like you to tune in.

      Reply
      • Its tough cause its hard not to think how Zakuanis career would have been different if not for that injury. He basically lost two years due to that tackle and still gets a ton of little injuries he never used to get which isn’t uncommon after major injuries. However at some point you need to move on from it.

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