Atlanta United fullback Brek Shea will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a serious knee injury that includes a torn ACL and meniscus tears and other damage, manager Frank de Boer said on Tuesday.
Shea suffered the injury to his right knee in the opening minutes of Sunday's 2-1 loss at Seattle.
“He has a really bad injury in his knee; I feel really sorry for him,” de Boer said. “He was looking good, looking fresh and he got this injury. Everything that almost can be destroyed in his knee is destroyed.”
Atlanta United announced Tuesday afternoon at Shea would have season-ending surgery.
Shea, 29, has 10 starts as part of 19 appearances this season.
De Boer said he doesn’t yet know if Shea will be placed on the season-ending injury list, which would allow Atlanta United to sign a player to replace him for the rest of the season.
In addition to Shea’s injury, Franco Escobar (yellow card accumulation), Mikey Ambrose (hamstring) and George Bello (adductor), will miss Wednesday’s game against Houston, making the fullback ranks thin.
De Boer said the team hasn't heard from the Professional Referee Organization if Escobar's yellow card given in the game against Seattle will be rescinded. He's planning on Escobar not being eligible.
Asked who will play fullback on Wednesday, de Boer turned to a reporter and said he had heard that he’s available.
“It’s puzzling, but we have it, (an answer)” de Boer said.
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