An MLS player's offseason is often filled with trips to places they might not see during the season. Next week, FC Dallas defender Blake Wagner travels to Germany but this won't be for pleasure -- he is having surgery to remedy a sports hernia that bothered him for much of last season.
The 19-year-old Wagner just completed his second season with the Hoops. He played in one first-team match, making his league debut on September 30 against Houston. The Generation adidas player earned high marks from FCD head coach Steve Morrow for his performance.
FCD originally took Wagner in the second round (18th overall) of the 2006 Super Draft and with the status of Chris Gbandi, the Hoops' starting left back for much of the last five years, uncertain for 2008, Wagner could be the heir apparent at that position.
But before that, he wants to be at 100 percent and that means repairing the injury, which started bothering him about two months before his league debut and got progressively worse as the season wore on.
"It was hurting about a month or a month and a half or two before that," Wagner said. "It wasn't really bad back then but it's been getting progressively worse in the ensuing weeks and months. I know that it's time to get that surgery."
Wagner leaves for Germany on Sunday and will undergo surgery on Monday. By Wednesday, he should be headed back Stateside -- and could be ready to begin preparations for the upcoming season before the New Year.
"Usually, it takes about a week and a half or two weeks but I will probably rest for about two and a half weeks after getting rehab because I want to make sure it's OK. Then, I will get back into it again," Wagner said.
It was around a year ago that Wagner's FCD teammate and close friend Dax McCarty had the same surgery. McCarty responded to play in a career-high 25 games in 2007 in his second year in MLS and also led the Hoops in assists with seven.
Wagner admits that McCarty's account of his own surgery about a year ago has helped put his mind at ease.
"We're good friends," Wagner said. "We talk about it all the time. I've asked him about 100 questions about it just trying to get an idea of what will happen in Germany and things like that. It's really ironic but pretty cool. It gives us something to talk about."
Wagner is looking for the same kind of positive return.
"When he went, the person who gave him the surgery told him that on a scale of one to 10, it was a one in terms of how bad it was," Wagner said. "I know that I'll be fine in the next few weeks. Right now, it's just about getting the job done."
A member of the U.S. national team at youth levels, Wagner's solid performance at left back against the now two-time defending MLS Cup champions likely signaled that a changing of the guard is imminent in that spot, a change that could come as soon as next season for the Hoops.
"The Houston game was awesome for me just getting the experience and being able to play against an in-state rival," Wagner said. "That gave me an idea of how well I can play against them and other guys in the league. Things went well, so that gives me an upside heading into next year."
Wagner admits that his expectations are high for the coming season but right now, his only focus is on getting healthy.
"Doing well in 2008 would be awesome but right now, I'm just focused on getting the surgery done," he said. "I know it's going to help me since I will feel better and will also play better. It's really been bothering me over the last few months and it will be good to play healthy again."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
