SIDELINED Gaven out 3-4 weeks after ring finger operation
MetroStars midfielder Eddie Gaven will be sidelined from three to four weeks after undergoing surgery on his left ring finger, the MLS club announced on Thursday morning.
The procedure, which was performed by Dr. Keith Raskin at NYU Medical Center, inserted screws into the three-year veteran’s finger to stabilize the bone.
The 18-year-old Gaven played the full 90 minutes for the MetroStars in their 2005 season opener last Saturday -- a scoreless tie with Real Salt Lake -- while wearing a cast which covered his left hand and part of his left arm.
Gaven could not be reached for comment on Thursday.
After Saturday's game, the Hamilton, N.J. native was asked about whether he was affected by the cast.
"It was all right," he said. "I didn't feel it too much. I kind of fell on it at the end. But it's nothing serious. This thing's pretty light. It didn't bother me too much."
Gaven suffered a displaced fracture of his left ring finger while playing for the U.S. Under-20 team in the Suwon International Youth Football Tournament in Suwon, South Korea on March 26.
Gaven was forced from the game in the 28th minute of the U.S.'s 1-0 victory over Egypt. He received the injury when he broke his fall after appearing to getting tripped up – despite no foul being called – when he tried to split two defenders on the dribble at the top of the box. Seton Hall midfielder Sacha Kljestan replaced Gaven six minutes later.
“I got a ball from Chad (Barrett) and I saw some space so kind of shot through it and I got sandwiched by two guys," Gaven said at the time. "I fell and my finger bent and broke.”
Gaven enjoyed a successful sophomore season with the MetroStars last year, scoring seven goals and assisting on seven others. He earned MLS Best XI honors, becoming the youngest player to do so, and was voted to the Eastern Conference all-star team.
Gaven also received his first cap in an international friendly against Poland on July 11 when he entered the 1-1 game in the 82nd minute, making him the fourth youngest player in U.S. history to play in a National Team game.
The Metros received a rare bye in the second week of the season. They return to action, hosting the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m.
