Sports

Vancouver Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit ruptures Achilles tendon; out six to eight months

by Jeff Paterson on March 4th, 2013 at 10:24 AM
    1 of 1 2 of 1

      The Vancouver Whitecaps won their MLS season opener on March 2, but in the process lost captain Jay DeMerit likely for the remainder of the year.

      Early in the 1-0 win over Toronto FC at B.C. Place, DeMerit went up for a ball and landed awkwardly. He was helped from the field in obvious pain and was later seen on crutches.

      It has now been determined the 33-year-old fullback ruptured his Achilles tendon and will be out of action for a minimum of six months.

      The usual recovery time for an Achilles injury is six to eight months; as the MLS regular season is eight months long, a return to action this season is very much in doubt.

      Demerit was replaced in the lineup by Brad Rusin, who made his Whitecaps debut.

      Rusin will likely earn the starting spot when the Caps host Columbus on Saturday (March 9) at B.C. Place.

      Comments