David Ayala undergoes knee surgery, will miss up to two months

Timbers midfielder David Ayala has undergone a successful arthroscopic debridement surgery on his right knee, according to the club's official statement.

The Argentine broke onto the scene after signing for Portland from Estudiantes in 2022, and has slowly worked his way into the first team picture for head coach Gio Savarese. The 20-year-old has made only 21 MLS appearances for the club, but is seen as a potential future star in the center of the park. With Diego Chará not getting any younger, Ayala could be the man to replace him at the base of the Timbers midfield in the coming years.

However, his 2023 campaign will get off to a slow start as the Argentine could be sidlelined for up to two months after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. The procedure was performed by Dr. Rich Edelson, according to the club, and the youngster is now in the hands of the Timbers' medical staff at Providence Park.

PTFC have had bad luck when it comes to lower body injuries as of late, with Felipe Mora also on the shelf after successive knee surgeries. However, the club will remain optimistic that with Ayala's procedure being wrapped up successfully just under a month before the start of the season, he could recover in time to still play a key role in the MLS campaign.

Back on the pitch, the Timbers head into their final stretch of pre-season friendlies in the coming weeks, and they will head to Southern California to take part in the Coachella Valley Invitational with a host of other MLS clubs. In Indio, the Timbers will face off with LA Galaxy, Toronto FC, and NYCFC before returning home for opening weekend duties.

All eyes will be on February 25, as Gio Savarese's men welcome Sporting KC to Providence Park for the first round of regular season Major League Soccer duties.