FC Cincinnati's Ronald Matarrita sidelined for six months after ankle surgery

FC Cincinnati defender Ronald Matarrita underwent successful surgery on Monday to treat an ankle injury he sustained during Costa Rica’s World Cup qualifying campaign in March. 

The player will remain on the sidelines for at least six months. 

Matarrita departed in the 69th minute of Costa Rica’s 1-0 triumph over Canada on March 24, signaling the severity of the lesion.

Consequently, the defender will also fail to feature for the Ticos in June’s intercontinental World Cup Qualifying playoff against New Zealand but could be back in time for the international tournament in Qatar should they qualify. 

The defender also appeared twice in his second campaign with FC Cincinnati before suffering the ankle injury. He only recently joined the Orange & Blue in 2021 after a five-year tenure with New York City FC that saw him play in over 100 regular-season matches.

He’s recorded seven goals and 20 assists in his career while playing primarily as a left-back in a back four.

This is a huge blow for FC Cincinnati, who also saw midfielder Ben Mines undergo an ankle procedure on Tuesday that rules him out for six months as well. 

The Eastern Conference team has seen a rocky start to their season both on and off the field, managing only two victories thus far amid injuries. The team stands in 10th place on the table with six points in six matches and a record of 2-0-4.

The Orange & Blue return to the field on Saturday, April 16 to face Atlanta United.