Seattle Sounders FC have confirmed through a press release that midfielder Steve Zakuani has undergone successful surgery to repair a broken right tibia and fibula. The injury occurred in the 3rd minute of the Sounders 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. Rapids midfielder Brian Mullan was shown a straight red card for the foul that led to Zakuani’s injury.
At this point it is far too early to expect a timetable on Zakuani’s return to be given, but the injury appears to be similar to the one suffered by Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey who returned to competitive play in just under nine months. All injuries are different and there is a tremendous amount of variation in recovery time, but the odds of Zakuani returning to action this season seem exceedingly low. There has been no word from MLS on Mullan’s punishment.
Zakuani is recovering at Rose Medical Center in Denver and will remain there for several days before returning to Seattle.