After a standout game against Real Salt Lake on July 9, Chivas USA striker Matt Taylor appeared on the verge of a breakthrough.
Instead, the only thing that broke through was his health, or lack thereof.
Taylor suffered through a sports hernia injury that has cost him five regular season games as well as both of the club's U.S. Open Cup matches.
Last week, Taylor underwent sports hernia surgery in Munich, Germany. Dr. Ulrike Muschaweck, who specializes in performing such surgeries, performed the procedure. Club officials are hopeful that Taylor will be back in time for Chivas USA's next home match, on Sept. 3 against Columbus.
The 23-year-old Taylor has started 10 games for Chivas USA. He scored a goal, had two assists and created two more goals in the Chivas 5-1 rout against Real Salt Lake, Taylor's last match before succumbing to the injury. He has trained very little with the team since.
Taylor's injury was one of the first major injuries in a string that has gripped Chivas USA in the past six weeks. Thiago Martins and Francisco Gomez have each missed games with an array of injuries and Ezra Hendrickson missed his first start Saturday in Washington, D.C.
Once Taylor comes back, he could have to battle for his spot. Juan Pablo Garcia and Francisco Palencia are expected to play Sunday at the MetroStars. Arturo Torres, Isaac Romo and Antonio Martinez have played considerable minutes in Taylor's absence as well.
But that Taylor will even play again this season is comforting for the team. This type of injury could typically keep players out of action for months, at least. Dr. Muschaweck, however, performed similar operations on D.C. United's Bryan Namoff on July 7 and 8. He played 45 minutes in United's Open Cup match on Aug. 3.
Dr. Muschaweck has performed sports hernia surgeries on more than 1,000 soccer players worldwide.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
