Real Salt Lake forward Joao Plata fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot during training on Sunday and will miss three-to-four months of action, the club announced on Monday. The Ecuadorian international is scheduled to undergo surgery to mend the break on Monday afternoon at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center.
Plata's injury occurred during “a non-contact change-of-direction on artificial turf” in RSL's only field session in Utah before departing for their first preseason camp in Casa Grande, Arizona on Monday.
The news represents a harsh early blow for both player and club at the dawn of the 2015 camaign. Plata, 22, has scored 17 goals and added 14 assists during his two seasons in Utah, where he arrived following a stint with Toronto FC. He finished as RSL's leading scorer last season with 13 goals, earning a return to the Ecuadorian national team.
RSL also officially announced on Monday that they had purchased the contract of Plata and signed him to a multi-year contract. Due to fees associated with Plata’s acquisition, he now holds Young Designated Player status under Major League Soccer’s roster and salary compliance guidelines.
“Kudos to club ownership for making the commitment to a young player in Joao Plata who has proven himself as an exciting, dynamic offensive threat for RSL,” said Real Salt Lake technical director Craig Waibel in a statement.
“Plata has earned this, to have the multiple parties involved in his player pass be eliminated and the security of knowing that this club, Real Salt Lake, is his home, now and for the foreseeable future.”
