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Jaroslaw Niezgoda’s Injury Shakes Up the Portland Timbers in the MLS

By Arthur Fernandes

PORTLAND, OR - JULY 23: Jaroslaw Niezgoda of the Timbers receives his slab trophy after scoring in the MLS match between San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers at Providence Park on July 23, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - JULY 23: Jaroslaw Niezgoda of the Timbers receives his slab trophy after scoring in the MLS match between San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers at Providence Park on July 23, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images) /
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The Portland Timbers have suffered a major setback with the injury to forward Jaroslaw Niezgoda, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament and will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2023 MLS season. This injury is doubly concerning as Niezgoda had already undergone a similar surgery in 2020, placing him on a long and challenging road to recovery.

A torn anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most feared injuries in the world of soccer. The recovery time is extensive and uncertain, and many players never fully return to their former selves after such an injury. In Niezgoda’s case, this is devastating news, and all soccer fans and admirers empathize with him.

PORTLAND, OR – JULY 23:Jaroslaw Niezgoda of the Timbers looks for an option in attack during the MLS match between San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers at Providence Park on July 23, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – JULY 23:Jaroslaw Niezgoda of the Timbers looks for an option in attack during the MLS match between San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers at Providence Park on July 23, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images) /

Niezgoda was a crucial piece in the Portland Timbers’ attack, and his absence leaves a considerable gap. The team will now have to rely on other forwards like Franck Boli, Felipe Mora, Nathan Fogaça, and Dairon Asprilla to compensate for Niezgoda’s loss. However, replacing a player of his caliber won’t be easy.

Furthermore, the Portland Timbers recently parted ways with head coach Giovanni Savarese, bringing in Miles Joseph as interim coach in hopes of turning the season around. The team currently sits in 12th place in the Western Conference, fighting to qualify for the Audi MLS Cup playoffs. Niezgoda’s injury is an additional blow in what has already been a challenging season.

Now, the focus is on Niezgoda’s recovery and the hope that he can fully rehabilitate and come back even stronger. However, the journey will be long and arduous. In the meantime, the Portland Timbers will have to find a way to overcome this adversity and continue to strive for their goals this season.

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