Colorado Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni told MLS Soccer that midfielder Vicente Sánchez will be out 2-3 weeks with a knee sprain. The news became official after the Rapids' 2-2 draw with the Portland Timbers Saturday night.
"He's got swelling in his knee; I just got the memo it'll be 2-3 weeks," Mastroeni said of Sánchez after the game. "When he's ready, he'll jump in."
Sánchez, 34, had recently been dealing with an IT band injury earlier this month. But now it seems as if the troublesome knee, which caused him to miss seven games in May and June, will force him out of the lineup yet again. Sanchez is currently second on the club with six goals this season in 14 games.
The Uruguayan did not play in Saturday's match against Portland, despite practicing earlier in the week. With the Rapids in seventh place in the Western Conference and only six games remaining in the season, any physical setback could put Sánchez's return in serious doubt.
"What I've been told is [Sánchez will miss] about two weeks," Mastroeni said. "Then it's about getting fit again and in form."
The Rapids are currently in the midst of an eight-game losing streak, making the loss of Sánchez even more disheartening for Colorado fans. However, the injury could lead to more playing time for rookie Jared Watts. Watts, 22, was drafted out of Wake Forest University in the second round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. He's started only 11 games this season, so the Rapids could use this opportunity to see what they have in the 33rd overall pick. Colorado faces off against Real Salt Lake, currently 3rd in the Western Conference, this Friday.
Sánchez joined the Colorado Rapids before the 2013 season after one season playing abroad. The crafty midfielder has scored 17 goals in 22 games with the Rapids.
