Colorado Rapids midfielder Marcelo Sarvas is out four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
The Rapids said the surgery, performed in Los Angeles on Monday, was successful. Sarvas had been tending to the injury for more than a month, coach Pablo Mastroeni said recently.
“He’s been dealing with a swollen knee with all kinds of different elements in that knee since the game in Philly,” Mastroeni said.
Sarvas is in the middle of serving a two-game suspension for “violent conduct that endangered the safety of an opponent” after he in an April 18 match.
The 33-year-old Brazilian, who won two MLS Cups with Los Angeles Galaxy, to add a veteran presence in the Rapids midfield. He has played 462 minutes across six matches, attempting seven shots and adding an assist.
Sarvas will remain in Los Angeles with his family as he recovers.
With veteran holding midfielder Sam Cronin working to return from a concussion, the Rapids turned to Nick LaBrocca last week against FC Dallas. The 30-year-old New Jersey native delivered the game’s equalizing goal despite a collision with goalkeeper Dan Kennedy to salvage a point at home for Colorado.
The in store this week. Colorado travels to New York to take on the Red Bulls Wednesday night, and then hops on a cross-country flight to Los Angeles to face the Galaxy on Saturday.
Daniel Boniface: 303-954-1104, dboniface@denverpost.com or twitter.com/danielboniface
Looking ahead
Colorado at New York 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Altitude; Mile High Sports Radio 94.1 FM, Radio Luz 1650 AM
Spotlight on Bradley Wright-Phillips: The 2014 MLS Golden Boot winner is off to another strong season with the New York Red Bulls, having scored two goals and notching three assists through six matches. His 27 goals last season were the most in a MLS season, tied with Chris Wondolowski (2012) and Roy Lassiter (1996). In 2015, Wright-Phillips has taken on more of a playmaking role since the departure of Thierry Henry. Wright-Phillips’ three assists are one more than he amassed in all of 2014.
NOTEBOOK
Rapids: Colorado (1-2-4) puts its unbeaten road record (1-0-2) on the line in Red Bull Arena, a place it has never won. The Rapids earned a 1-1 draw in Harrison, N.J., last year. The Rapids are coming off a 1-1 home draw against FC Dallas on Friday night and are playing the second of what will be three games in nine days. The Rapids will be without midfielder Marcelo Sarvas, out four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery Monday. Shane O’Neill and Dillon Serna are back in the mix for the Rapids after a midweek game with the U.S. U-23 national team last week.
Red Bulls: New York (3-0-3), the league’s only remaining unbeaten team, has yet to lose under new coach Jesse Marsch. Red Bulls are coming off a 1-1 draw Sunday against Los Angeles Galaxy and have the best home record in MLS since 2012. The midweek game is the only time Colorado and Red Bulls meet this year.
Footnotes: The Rapids’ Marc Burch (rib) is out, and Sam Cronin (concussion) is doubtful.
Daniel Boniface , The Denver Post
