The Portland Timbers will be without forward Jaroslaw Niezgoda for the remainder of the 2020 season after it was discovered that he tore his left ACL, the club announced Monday.
Niezgoda suffered the injury in last weekend’s 1-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and he’s scheduled for surgery next Monday (Nov. 9). An exact timetable for his return will be determined after the operation.
That leaves the Polish striker with seven goals and one assist in 17 games this season, including two separate braces in recent weeks. Niezgoda has provided a solid return after signing last January via transfer from Polish Ekstraklasa side Legia Warsaw.
It’s the second major injury to Portland’s offense, with attacking midfielder Sebastian Blanco also going down with an ACL tear in early September. Specifically at forward, the Timbers are expected to turn to Jeremy Ebobisse — once he's back from his own injury — and Felipe Mora to lead the line, then welcome supporting contributions from Yimmi Chara, Diego Valeri, Andy Polo and others.
Portland already have a Western Conference place in the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs locked up. They’re also in contention for the Supporters’ Shield before a Wednesday night contest against the Colorado Rapids (10 pm ET | TV & streaming info).
