SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake DF Rich Balchan underwent successful surgery to repair a dislocated left shoulder on Thursday in Salt Lake City. The surgery was performed by team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Cooper at Salt Lake Regional Hospital. Balchan will miss four to six months.
Balchan dislocated his shoulder twice in the first 13 minutes of the RSL Reserves’ 1-0 win over the LA Galaxy Reserves at America First Field on April 28. He received treatment and continued playing after suffering the first dislocation, but had to come off after suffering a second dislocation minutes later. This is Balchan’s second left shoulder surgery in the last several years.
The 11th overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Balchan signed with Real Salt Lake this preseason after spending his first two years with the Columbus Crew. The Indiana University product dealt with other injuries at the start of the 2013 season and has not made any appearances this year for the RSL first-team. He has five MLS Reserve League appearances – including two starts – and a start in a friendly match this year.
Real Salt Lake will return to MLS action this Sunday, when it will close its three-game road trip with a match against Western Conference foe Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center. Sunday’s match will kickoff at 8:30 p.m. MT and will be broadcast live on CW30, ESPN 700 AM and 102.3 La Gran D FM/1600 AM.
