Diego Chara expected to sit out remainder of 2023 MLS regular season

Portland Timbers captain Diego Chara is expected to sit out the rest of the 2023 Major League Soccer regular season after undergoing appendectomy surgery.

The estimated recovery timeline ranges from one to three weeks, allowing for a potential return during the playoffs if the Timbers qualify. The team currently sits in 11th place on the Western Conference table with 33 points in 28 games and a record of 8W-11L-9D. 

A recent string of negative results saw longtime head coach Giovanni Savarese fired, with assistant coach Miles Joseph taking over on an interim basis for the remainder of the 2023 Major League Soccer season as the team searches for a permanent replacement.

Since the coaching change, the Timbers have gone on to win three consecutive matches to stand just one point back from the ninth, andfinal, postseason place with six games to go. 

But Chara’s absence will now be a huge blow to their efforts to qualify for the postseason. He remains a key component of the team’s success in his 13th season, managing 12 goals and 33 assists in 365 games across that span. 

In the captain’s absence, the Western Conference team will likely depend on new figure Evander and Cristhian Paredes to lift the midfield as David Ayala and Eryk Williamson remain sidelined with ACL injuries. 

The Timbers return to action without Chara on Sunday when facing Austin FC.

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