Sport KC defender Opara to have ankle surgery

Sporting Kansas City says defender Ike Opara will have surgery on his injured right ankle and is likely to miss the rest of the season. (Michael Dwyer/AP)

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Sporting Kansas City says defender Ike Opara will have surgery on his injured right ankle and is likely to miss the rest of the season.

The club said Thursday the April 16 surgery will repair a chondral (KAHN’-druhl) defect, or cartilage damage.

Opara had to be helped from the field after colliding with Colorado Rapids defender Jared Watts on March 29.

Sporting KC acquired Opara before the 2013 season. The 25-year-old centerback has played 30 games in all competition for the club over the last two years.

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