Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that midfielder Ansu Toure has suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee and will have surgery on Thursday.
The Liberian-born winger, who has been suffering with the injury since the men's team's preseason trip to Tanzania last March, is expected to miss the next four weeks following his operation.
In his first season with the 'Caps, Toure has made 15 appearances in all competitions for 1,018 minutes of action. The midfielder scored his first two goals for the club on June 2, as the Whitecaps claimed a memorable 2-0 home victory over Major League Soccer club Toronto FC in the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship.
Currently in his fourth season in the United Soccer Leagues First Division, Toure was acquired by the Whitecaps from USL-1 rivals Miami FC Blues on January 21, 2009. Prior to his stint with the Blues, Toure was a member of Atlanta Silverbacks and Minnesota Thunder.
Meanwhile, midfielder Vicente Arze and defender Luca Bellisomo have been re-assigned to Whitecaps Residency team of the USL Premier Development League (PDL) for a brief conditioning stint.
The Whitecaps next home match at Swangard Stadium is on July 9 against Minnesota Thunder. Whitecaps individual match tickets start at just $18 and are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres, online at ticketmaster.ca, and by phone at 604.280.4400 or 1.800.663.9311. Visit whitecapsfc.com for information on match tickets.
