CARSON, Calif. — Dan Kennedy has a long way to go. He knows that. He’s been here before.
The Chivas USA goalkeeper sustained a tear of the long head tendon of his left biceps in a match against Toronto on Aug. 7. He successfully underwent surgery for the damage last Friday, but will be out for the rest of the season—the second time in as many years he has suffered a season-ending injury.
The 28-year-old was sidelined for all of 2009 with an injury to the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The experience, he says, helped him through his recent surgery and with the preparation for rehabilitating and getting back on the field.
“I know what it takes to get back to playing,” he told MLSsoccer.com recently. “And it’s a much easier process this time around. It’s just going to be smart work with a physical therapist and not rushing it too much. It’s about taking the right steps in order to be prepared for the next preseason.”
Kennedy began the 2010 campaign as the backup for usual Goats starter Zach Thornton. But when Thornton went down with a high ankle sprain at the beginning of July, Kennedy stepped in. The UC Santa Barbara had made six starts for the Red-and-White and held a goals-against average of 1.21.
“The worst part about this is not being able to do anything,” Kennedy said. “Once I’m cleared for physical therapy, I’ll be at it every day to help me get back on the field. The recovery on this type of injury is about three months, so it’s just a matter of getting fit again.”
