FC Dallas on Tuesday learned they will be without goalkeeper Dario Sala for the next 4-6 weeks after he undergoes surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Sala started and played the full match in FCD's 3-1 loss to Chicago to begin the season last Saturday at Pizza Hut Park.
"Dario got hurt a couple of weeks ago while we were in Florida," FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "We did an MRI (after that trip) to see if there were any problems and it was negative. So he just went through it. We went to Brazil and when we came back, he said that it was still hurting him and last week, he missed a couple of days of training because it was hurting him. We did a second MRI and it showed a torn meniscus but it was behind a part of the knee that couldn't be seen until they put a dye in it. So, he's now getting surgery [Tuesday] afternoon."
Sala got the start despite missing several days of practice last week and did so wearing a knee brace.
"We talked about him playing or not playing, but he really felt like it was important for him to play in the season opener," Hyndman said. "We didn't have (FCD captain) Pablo Ricchetti and felt like we needed some leadership and experience, so we went with that decision. He didn't have a bad game. It's just that he didn't have the same explosiveness that he probably needed."
Sala's departure means fourth-year 'keeper Ray Burse now becomes the starter for FCD. Burse has a total of eight MLS games on his resume -- two in 2008 and six in 2007, starts that all came when Sala was injured.
In 2007, he stepped in for Sala in late July and posted a 3-2-1 record with two clean sheet and a goals against average of 1.00 combined in matches in SuperLiga, the U.S. Open Cup and league play.
"I think Ray is a solid, capable 'keeper for the league," Hyndman said. "The thing with Ray is that he's never really been given enough games and enough playing time because Dario has been my No. 1 'keeper. Last year, we loaned him off to Portland, where he got games. I wanted him back here so I could see him more. I also felt like it was to the team's best interest to have a good second 'keeper to keep Dario on his toes. I think he's a capable 'keeper and he understands that this is a wonderful opportunity to establish himself as the No. 1 'keeper or maybe end up somewhere else down the road as a proven No. 1 'keeper."
The 24-year-old Burse agrees with his coach. "I feel like I'm ready and know I'm ready," he said. "It's a good opportunity for me to come in and build upon the performance that I had two weeks ago against CAP. It was only 10 minutes but I feel like it's something I can build upon going into this stretch of playing."
With Burse moving up the depth chart, that means second year 'keeper Josh Lambo, a regular with the U.S. under-20 national team, will be the No. 2 'keeper for FCD. There was talk of sending Lambo out on loan to a USL club earlier during preseason, a move that benefited Burse in 2008, but that move is now on hold.
"We had discussions on it and I think for Lambo's development and confidence, he is our second 'keeper," Hyndman said. "I think we're making the right decision. He was a first-round draft choice and is a capable 'keeper as well."
Burse's last action came in FCD's preseason finale against Clube Atletico Paranaense of Brazil on March 14. He came on after Sala was ejected for a handball outside of the box and Burse quickly came up with a huge play on a CAP free kick to keep his team within a goal.
"It's just something you have to be prepared for being in the position I've been in for the last three years now here," he said. "You take the situation however it comes because it's not really something that comes about too often, but when it comes, you have to be ready. I think I am."
Many feel that the 13-game stint he had last year with USL First Division side Portland benefited Burse in a number of ways. The Ohio State University product went 5-3-5 with seven shutouts with the Timbers and allowed an average of just 0.69 goals per game.
"I've matured a lot over the last three years, especially last year with going on loan to Portland," Burse said. "I think it was a terrific opportunity for me to get some games in. Being a goalkeeper is about getting your starts and experience on the field. That's something that I can use to catapult me forward going into this run of games."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
