Portland center back Nat Borchers will miss the rest of the 2016 season with a ruptured left Achilles tendon that will require surgery, the Timbers announced on Monday.
Borchers was injured and had to be carried off the pitch late in the first half of Saturday's 2-1 home loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy. He landed awkwardly after an aerial challenge, got up and attempted to take a few steps, and then had to sit back down before being taken off.
He will undergo surgery at a date to be determined, after further evaluation, and then go through rehabilitation.
The 35-year-old defender was a mainstay of Portland's first MLS Cup-winning squad in 2015 and also won MLS Cup with Real Salt Lake in 2009. His loss for the season is another blow to a central defensive corps that also missed Liam Ridgewell in Saturday's match, due to a calf strain.
