Minnesota United center back Bakaye Dibassy will be out for the remainder of the 2022 Major League Soccer season after suffering a ruptured quadricep tendon in his right leg.
He is set to undergo reparative surgery on Wednesday.
The player picked up the injury during Minnesota’s 2-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo, exiting the pitch during the first half.
His absence comes as a huge blow to the Western Conference team. Dibassy has played an integral part of Minnesota’s defense, starting all 26 matches this season to propel the side to third on the table.
He originally joined the team ahead of the 2020 MLS campaign, arriving from Ligue 2 side Amiens SC. Dibassy has since recorded two goals and one assist in 63 appearances for Minnesota.
Without him, head coach Adrian Heath is expected to depend on Brent Kallman to line up with Michael Boxall in the defense. New addition Nabilai Kibunguchy and Kervin Arriaga stand as options as well.
The team currently sits in third place of the Western Conference table with 44 points in 27 games and a record of 13W-9L-5D. With only seven games remaining, the team is eyeing a home match in the MLS Cup playoffs.
But the Loons cannot relax now, as they visit sixth place team Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday.
