Sporting KC’s Jimmy Medranda out for the Season

The Kansas City Star is reporting that fullback Jimmy Medranda will miss the rest of the season and the beginning of next year for Sporting Kansas City. After dealing with what was thought to be a bone bruise for months he underwent exploratory surgery on his knee on Friday while in LA.

Something appeared to be amis when players were tweeting and giving shout outs to Medranda in post game speeches on the heels of the 2-0 victory over Los Angeles Football Club on Saturday.

Medranda will undergo surgery to repair cartilage in his left knee in about three weeks (also in Los Angeles). The surgery will keep him out for eight months which will stretch into the beginning of the 2019 season.

The injury occured during practice where Medranda felt a pop while simply passing the ball. Peter Vermes weighed in on Jimmy:

“He’s an important guy, but we kind of knew we might be going in this direction — because he was struggling a little bit. It’s tough, but the main focus now is just getting him healthy. It’s just going to take some time. We’ll slowly start to increase the load and hope we get him back in April or May of next year.”

Medranda’s absence has been obvious. In the eight games he started Sporting KC only lost once. He also added two goals and an assist this year from his left back spot. It’s been a bit of a revolving door at that position this year. Cristian Lobato was the opening day starter. Medranda assumed the duties at the end of March. Then after their injuries Seth Sinovic and Jaylin Lindsey (a natural right back) have split time there.

Jimmy Medranda is still just 24-years-old and should have a lot of good years ahead of him but it will come as a big blow to Sporting KC. Not just because they are without their likely starting left back, but because he’s so positionally versatile and he can fill in all over the pitch.

Here’s to hoping he gets better soon and is better than ever.