Sebastian Blanco has torn ACL, will miss remainder of season

The Portland Timbers confirmed today via press release that Sebastian Blanco suffered a torn ACL in Sunday’s game against Seattle, and will miss the remainder of the 2020 season. Blanco underwent an MRI upon return to Portland, and tit revealed one of the worst case scenarios. He will undergo surgery on September 14, with a recovery timetable to be set at a later date.

Blanco went down in the fifth minute of Sundays rivalry clash after getting his right leg rolled up on while challenging for a ball. He immediately went down clutching his right knee, and was soon subbed out. He was seen later in the first half in street clothes with crutches, but walking under his own power with a severe limp.

Recovery timelines for ACL injuries typically range from five to six months pending the outcomes of the surgery and physical therapy. This would place Blanco’s return towards the beginning of the 2021 season, presuming that it starts roughly around when MLS typically does in early Spring.

It’s hard to overstate how huge Seba’s impact has been for Portland in 2020. He tallied three goals and five assists during the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, leading the squad in their successful championship run while earning best XI honors and Player of the Tournament in the process. He has quickly grown to become the focal point of the team, and has consistently been one of the Timbers’ most dangerous and most valuable players. Now, Portland will have to see out the rest of the 2020 campaign without him.

Blanco will have a source of camaraderie and support through his recovery process in the form of his compatriot Diego Valeri, who suffered a similar injury and recovery back in late 2014. And, if we know anything about Seba, he will do everything he can to ensure he comes back as strong as ever.