SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake MF Javier Morales underwent successful surgery to repair a lateral meniscal tear in his right knee on Monday in Salt Lake City. The surgery was performed by team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Cooper at Salt Lake Regional Hospital and Medical Center near downtown Salt Lake City.
"Happy to report that this was a straight-forward procedure, Javier has a good knee,” Cooper said following Monday's procedure. “Very similar to the injury he suffered in MLS Cup 2009 on his left knee. The surgery was uncomplicated and we can expect Javi back on the field doing soccer-specific stuff in about 4-6 weeks.”
Morales initially suffered the injury during Real Salt Lake’s 0-2 loss to the Danish U-20 national team on Jan. 28 in Casa Grande, Ariz. Following an MRI after several days of intermittent pain, the tear was revealed, Morales flew home from the team’s ongoing camp in Irvine, Calif., and underwent the procedure.
Morales – who famously suffered a horrific ankle dislocation and lower leg fracture in May 2011 – bounced back to have a solid campaign in 2012, leading RSL with nine assists and tying for fourth on the team with three goals in 29 league appearances. Out of contract at the end of last season, the 33-year-old Argentine re-signed with the Claret-and-Cobalt on Jan. 18 of this year. He enters 2013 as the club’s all-time leader in assists (44), ranks fourth in goals (20) and seventh overall in league appearances (127) and MLS minutes played (10,023).
