VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Whitecaps say striker Masato Kudo will undergo surgery for a fractured jaw suffered in an ugly collision during Wednesday night's game against the Chicago Fire.
The 26-year-old was hit Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson as both players were going for a ball in the 11th minute of Vancouver's 2-1 victory.
Kudo took a shoulder to the face before his head slammed on the turf. Blood could be seen dripping from his mouth as players from both teams immediately waved to Vancouver's medical staff for help.
Kudo stayed down for several minutes as the crowd at B.C. Place Stadium waited in anxious silence until he was helped to his feet and carted to the locker-room.
The Whitecaps initially said during the game that Kudo suffered a concussion and also bit his lip and tongue, but added that he was going to hospital for further evaluation.
They announced the surgery on Thursday, adding that there's no timetable for his return.
