As Real Salt Lake enters its most difficult stretch of the season, it learned Friday night it must do so without arguably its best player so far this year.
Defender Daniel Torres will be out at least six weeks due to a sprained right foot sustained in last weekend's 3-1 road victory at New England. He practiced despite the pain throughout the week, and hoped to participate in Saturday night's game against FC Dallas. When the pain didn't subside, however, an X-ray was taken Friday evening and revealed more extensive damage than previously believed.
According to RSL trainer Jake Joachim, Torres is suffering from "gapping" in his lisfranc ligament, which is bones pulling apart in the foot, causing a great deal of pain.
Torres will wear a cast for four to six weeks, a stretch in which RSL plays nine games. If all goes well with Torres' recovery during those six weeks, he should be available to play in the team's final six games of the season, beginning Sept. 9 at D.C. United.
"Losing Danny is an extremely unfortunate occurrence at this juncture in our season," said Real coach John Ellinger. "Not only has he been one of our key performers through our first 17 games, but I would even call him our Most Valuable Player so far."
Nelson Akwari started in Torres' place on Saturday, but he too was replaced shortly before halftime after sustaining a hip contusion.
Torres, a native Costa Rican, began the season as RSL's starting left back, but moved into the middle when Eddie Pope departed for the World Cup. He became too invaluable to move back to the left when Pope returned.
A FAMILY AFFAIR: There was a familiar face opposite RSL defender Willis Forko on Saturday night. For the first time in his young career, the rookie Forko lined up against his cousin, Dallas defender Chris Gbandi.
Forko has made an immediate impact this year, and he partially credits the knowledge Gbandi has passed onto him during their off-field conversations.
Forko's brother, Sam, played nine games for the MetroStars during the 2002 season.
ANOTHER BIG NAME: When Real Madrid's David Beckham and Ronaldo visit Salt Lake City for their exhibition match against Real Salt Lake on Aug. 12, they'll be joined by another World Cup star.
Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro, easily the 2006 World Cup's top defender, recently joined the Spanish giants, and should be in Salt Lake City to participate in the match. Real Madrid is also reportedly pursuing AC Milan's Kaka and Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy.
STILL PERFECT: Upon entering the game as a 71st minute substitute for Douglas Sequeira, rookie midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy kept his game's played streak alive. Ballouchy has appeared in all 18 games this year, as has Jeff Cunningham, Chris Klein and Scott Garlick. Only Garlick and Klein have started every game.
IN YELLOW PERIL: RSL midfielder Andy Williams was given a yellow card in the 57th minute Saturday, his fourth of the season. On his next yellow card, he'll be suspended for one match.
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com