An MRI has revealed that Seattle Sounders centerback Jhon Kennedy Hurtado suffered an MCL sprain in the 57th minute of Sunday's 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers. Hurtado will be out for Saturday's game against the Colorado Rapids but could return as soon as the Sounders next competitive match, July 26th's away leg of the Concacaf Champions League qualifier against San Francisco of Panama. Hurtado participated in light training today without a brace on his knee.
This is unquestionably good news for the Sounders as the injury looked as though it had the potential to be quite serious when it occurred; Hurtado immediately called for a substitution and appeared quite concerned as trainers examined his knee, while replays showed that the contact that caused the injury could very well have caused some potentially severe damage.
While the Sounders depth at centerback is a strength for the team, with the Concacaf Champions League about to begin and the US Open Cup reaching the stage where the use of more regulars is called for losing Hurtado for any extended period of time would have been a tremendous blow. The 27-year-old defender missed the majority of the 2010 season after tearing the ACL in his left knee.