RENTON — It wasn’t the worst-case scenario, but the news about Pedro de la Vega’s injured right knee wasn’t anywhere close to the best-case scenario, either. The Seattle Sounders winger had surgery to repair a fractured patella (aka a broken kneecap) on Tuesday and will likely be out for about six months, head coach Brian Schmetzer announced.
There had initially been some fear that de la Vega had reinjured his ACL, which he previously tore in 2022. In that scenario, it’s possible he would have missed all of next year. Instead, he should be back sometime around April.
“There was no damage to his previous ACL (injury),” Schmetzer said. “In my opinion, it was about as good of news you can get.”
The injury happened in 18th minute while de la Vega was fighting for a ball with New York City defender Tayvon Gray on an area of the pitch just outside of where temporary sod had been laid on top of the Citi Field infield.
Fractured patellas are not particularly common among athletes, especially in this type of action. Schmetzer didn’t see anything bad in the tackle and wasn’t inclined to blame the surface, chalking it all up to bad luck.
“I know there was some chatter about the grass, the turf, any of those sorts of excuses,” he said. “Injuries happen in our sport. They’re gonna happen anywhere. There was 24 other players that didn't get injured in that game. It’s unfortunate it happened to Pedro. It’s unfortunate the way it happened.”
Aside from coming just before the Sounders enter the playoffs, it’s also at a time when de la Vega had been playing particularly well. The 24-year-old had scored 10 goals with five assists in about 1,750 minutes across all competitions. Seven goals and two assists had come in his last 12 appearances.
“We’re just making sure Pedro is in a good headspace,” Schmetzer said. “That kid would cut off his right arm to help this team win.
“It’s just s shame. We’ll miss him, but guys in that locker room are determined. It might even make a little bit of a rallying cry.”
Kent, Yeimar close to returns
There was some genuinely good news on the injury front, as well. Both Ryan Kent and Yeimar Gomez Andrade were full participants in training.
Yeimar injured his hamstring against the Vancouver Whitecaps and has missed the last three games. Schmetzer said he would be available against Minnesota United for Game 1 of their best-of-3 series on Monday.
Kent injured his hamstring on Aug. 6 and this is the first week he’s been able to fully train. Prior to his injury, he had six assists in about 700 minutes across all competitions. Schmetzer said Kent might not be available on Monday but should be available by Game 2.
Morris fined
Jordan Morris has been fined for “embellishment/simulation” for the incident in the NYCFC game in which he was originally awarded a penalty but it was overturned by VAR.
