HERRIMAN (Monday, August 14, 2023) – Real Salt Lake MF Pablo Ruiz underwent surgery on his right meniscus Friday. The 24-year-old dual Argentine/Chilean citizen, now in his sixth season with Real Salt Lake, had doctors repair the complex tear of the knee cartilage following Ruiz’s ninth minute non-contact injury suffered in last week’s 0-4 Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at LAFC.
“This procedure repairs a severely-damaged meniscus in Pablo’s right knee,” states RSL Senior Director of Athlete Health and Performance Theron Enns. “The exact timeline for his return to the field will be determined later as his rehabilitation progresses, but typically this type of repair requires around four to six months to allow the necessary healing and return to full participation. Pablo has already begun his rehabilitation with our medical staff and we will update his progress as we enter the latter months of the season.”
Ruiz has scored four goals and added nine assists in 28 games across MLS, Open Cup and Leagues Cup competitions this season, including a spectacular 70-yard effort in the June 7 win at D.C. United and a three-assist performance - just the second-ever in nearly 700 all-time RSL matches in a 4-0 home win on July 8.
RSL returns to MLS action this Sunday, August 20, at LA Galaxy (8:30p MT kickoff on the Apple TV+ MLS Season Pass), with the Club's third-ever Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal to be played on Wednesday, August 23, at Houston Dynamo (Paramount+ / CBS Sports GOLAZO). RSL then returns home on Saturday, August 26 against Houston at America First Field (7:30p MT kickoff; limited tickets remain at www.RSL.com/tickets).
