Rapids midfielder Nana Boateng is expected to miss significant time after fracturing three vertebrae in his back in Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to Real Salt Lake, the team announced Tuesday.
The injury occurred in the first half when Boateng went up for an aerial challenge with RSL’s Luke Mulholland and landed hard on his back. The Rapids said the three fractured lumbar vertebrae will not require surgery.
The game with rival RSL was extremely physical, but Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni said there was nothing dirty about the play that injured Boateng.
“That happens a million times in soccer,” Mastroeni said. “Sometimes you land on your back and nothing happens. To say it was malicious is out of line. I think itap a football thing.”
The after playing the last four seasons on loan in Norway. Boateng was starting in central midfield, taking over the spot once held down by midfielder .
“This is unfortunate timing for Nana,” Rapids sporting director Pádraig Smith said in a news release. “He has acclimated quickly to the team and the altitude, and was beginning to show the talent and forward drive we identified when bringing him to the club.”
Smith said the team will look to Dillon Powers and Mohammed Saeid, acquired in the trade with Minnesota, to take over the No. 8 role in Boateng’s absence.
The 5-foot-10, 160-pound midfielder picked up his first MLS assist after suffering the injury. He sent a pass to Marlon Hairston that helped unlock the defense for Kevin Doyle’s goal, then subbed off in the 32nd minute.
