BY DAVID CARAVIELLO
Of The Post and Courier Staff
The Charleston Battery's fears were confirmed this week, when an MRI detected a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the right knee of forward Eric Wynalda.
Wynalda, the all-time leading scorer in the history of the U.S. national team, injured the knee in an exhibition April 13 against the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. Although a preliminary test indicated a torn ACL, Battery officials held a slight hope that an MRI would show a less serious injury. That didn't happen. Wynalda flew to Los Angeles earlier this week, and national team physician Dr. Bert Mandlebaum confirmed the ACL tear on Friday. Wynalda had surgery to repair the ligament on the same day, and will miss the entire A-League season.
"I think in the grand scheme of things, this is a good news-bad news situation," said Wynalda, who tore the ACL in his left knee in 1999. "Yes, the ACL is torn, but there is no other damage to the knee, and that should hasten my recovery. I know what I have in front of me in terms of the rehab, having gone through it before. I'm ready for that challenge."
The news is a blow to the Battery, which opens the regular season Saturday at home against Pittsburgh. The 32-year-old Wynalda had scored three goals in the exhibition season before being hurt, and was a key part of a team expected to challenge for the A-League title.
"It's a huge blow for the team, but also for Eric," Battery coach Chris Ramsey said. "He'd brought his whole family to the area, and was beginning to gel with the people at the club and with the people in the community. ... I'm sure Eric will provide support and encouragement for the team, and we are all hoping he makes a successful recovery and is back playing at the same standard that we know he is capable of."
Wynalda hopes to return to the Battery in 2003. He will begin his recovery in Los Angeles, his hometown, where he can be with his family. His plan is then to return to Charleston as soon as he is able.
"I wouldn't feel right just leaving," he said. "Once I'm up and about, I think it's important for me to come back and be supportive of the team."
