Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced this week that central defender David Edgar will be out until the fall. Edgar received a knee injury in a hit-and-run incident while on a golfing trip in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The incident happened last month, but at the time, the severity of David Edgar’s injury was unclear. However, the Whitecaps announced on Wednesday that the defender has undergone knee surgery to repair damage to his right knee.
As a result he will not be making any appearances for several months. Whitecaps fans will be relieved after seeing early reports in the British press that his career could be over.
The Canadian international’s injury leaves Kendall Waston and Tim Parker the only senior central defenders in the squad. Coach Carl Robinson already needing to fill major gaps in the team at central midfield and up front.
Christian Dean is available again as a backup after missing last season through injury. Dean graduated from the Generation Adidas program at the end of last season, so his 2017 salary will count against the cap, meaning this season could be make or break for the 23-year-old. Cole Seiler, the ‘Caps’ 2016 draft pick, and midfielder Andrew Jacobson, who filled in ably at the back last year when needed, round out as the other options at central defense.
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Waston and Parker were a formidable partnership in 2015, but both struggled for form last season. Waston is also a red card magnet in addition to being a regular in the Costa Rican national team.
Either Dean and Seiler are going to see a lot more action in 2017 than was expected when 2016 ended. Which could prove wonderful for Vancouver’s long term plans. Otherwise, Robinson will need to add some new names on his shopping list for the upcoming year.