SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake captain and forward Jason Kreis, Major League Soccer's All-Time Leading Scorer and the first and only player in League history to attain the 100-goal threshold, underwent surgery to his left knee yesterday (Thursday, Sept 29). The ten-year veteran had a portion of his meniscus shaved and a new Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) put in, with the surgery performed by U.S. Men's National Team doctor, Bert Mandelbaum, at Santa Monica Orthopedic in Santa Monica, Calif.
"All indications are that the operation was successful. I am extremely happy with the treatment I've received, as well as the procedure of the operation under the guidance of Dr. Mandelbaum," said Kreis, speaking from Santa Monica, Calif. "If things go as well as the first few days, I expect a full and speedy recovery."
Kreis is already experiencing a good range of motion and hopes to meet his goal of recovering in six months, in time for RSL's first game of the 2006 season. He will return to California for a routine check up in Nov., six weeks from now.
The Allen, Texas native, a product of Duke University, was drafted in 1996 by the Dallas Burn and has played 271 career MLS games with 251 starts. Before his injury he saw time in 24 games, all starts, for RSL and leads the team with nine goals and is tied in assists with four. On August 13, Kreis notched his 100th goal, scoring in the 72nd minute in Real Salt Lake's 4-2 home loss to the Kansas City Wizards.
