Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com
What was supposed to be a winter during which Omar Gonzalez was going to take the next step in his career has turned into disaster.
The Los Angeles Galaxy centerback tore his left ACL on his first day on loan with FC Nurnberg, and he has returned to Los Angeles to undergo surgery, according to Nurnberg's official website.
Fresh off winning MLS Defender of the Year and an MLS Cup title, the 23-year-old Gonzalez was finally called into a U.S. national team camp by Jurgen Klinsmann for the first time. Before he could get started there, though, he got the opportunity to go to Nurnberg, where he was set to be on loan until Feb. 15. Instead of increasing his exposure as he enters the final year of his current contract, Gonzalez is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
The injury was a result of a hard tackle by U.S. international Timmy Chandler, and it came in Gonzalez' first training session with the club. There is no timetable yet for how long Gonzalez will be out, but his absence leaves a gaping hole in central defense for the Galaxy. Los Angeles resumes its 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League run on March 7 with a first-leg quarterfinal match at Toronto FC, and the Galaxy begin their MLS Cup title defense three days later at home against Real Salt Lake.
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