Did you feel that? The San Jose Earthquakes slogan took on new meaning today with the news that rookie defenders Ike Opara and Steven Beitashour are both out after suffering broken bones that will require surgery. For Opara, the injury to his left foot was apparently suffered during the 1-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders, while Beitashour injured his right hand during Monday's team training session.
The exact time during the Seattle match when Opara suffered his broken left foot remains unclear, but the rookie went on to play the full 90 minutes. After reporting discomfort after the game and during the following day, X-rays taken Monday morning confirmed a fractured bone in the left foot. Evaluations by team doctors and the training staff hav not yet concluded, but Opara will require surgery to repair the broken bone. No timetable for the surgery or the recovery period has been determined at this time.
Beitashour suffered a fracture to his right hand during scrimmage Monday morning at the team's training session. After taking a hard fall, the rookie favored his hand and arm throughout the session while continuing to participate. After being examined post-training, the medical staff determined that Beitashour will require surgery to repair the injury. Earlier in the season, rookie Omar Jasseh suffered a similar injury that kept him out of training for four weeks. A similar time table will most likely be established for Beitashour.
And in other roster news today, the San Jose Earthquakes confirmed the release of seldom used midfielder Javier Robles. Having only earned 61 minutes of playing time and one start in the 2010 season, Robles was given his release Monday morning.