Columbus Crew SC left back Milton Valenzuela has been ruled out for 9-12 months following successful ACL reconstruction surgery that was performed on Thursday. The injury was suffered in preseason training. News regarding the injury first came out on Tuesday, after the Crew acquired Waylon Francis in a trade with the Seattle Sounders.
Valenzuela, 20, spent the 2018 season with the Black & Gold on loan from Argentina side Newell’s Old Boys before joining Crew SC on a permanent transfer on December 21, 2018. In his first season in MLS, Valenzuela made 30 regular-season appearances (29 starts), while scoring one goal and providing six assists, including two game-winning assists. Prior to joining the Crew, Valenzuela made 15 appearances (12 starts) for Newell’s Old Boys from 2015-2017.
The Argentine posted a picture recuperating from the surgery on his Instagram story on Friday afternoon.
Valenzuela was named to MLSsoccer.com's 22 Under 22 list in 2018, finishing 12th in the voting. The injury leaves Francis and Hector Jimenez to fight for playing time at left back under Caleb Porter.
