FC Dallas on Wednesday confirmed earlier reports that midfielder Mauro Diaz will miss the rest of the 2016 season due to a torn Achilles tendon suffered on Sunday, announcing that the attacking midfielder underwent successful surgery to repair the injury earlier in the day.
Dallas did not provide a timeline for Diaz to return, but Achilles injuries usually take roughly one year to fully recover from. SI.com's Brian Straus reported on Tuesday that the team was preparing for an absence of up to eight months.
Diaz, 25, suffered the injury to his right leg in the 89th minute of Dallas’ 2-1 win against Seattle this past Sunday. He was stretchered off the field.
One of the most dynamic players in the league, Diaz has five goals and 13 assists in 27 regular season games this year. FC Dallas have several options as to how to replace him, including inserting Mauro Rosales into his No. 10 role or switching from their 4-2-3-1 to a two-forward formation.
Dallas play at Guatemalan club Suchitepequez in CONCACAF Champions League action on Thursday (8 pm ET; Facebook) needing a point to advance to the quarterfinals. Oscar Pareja's Western Conference leaders can then clinch the Supporter's Shield with a draw at the LA Galaxy on Sunday (4 pm ET; FS1 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada).
