ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced on Friday that veteran defender Forrest Lasso will miss the remainder of the 2024 USL Championship season after suffering a torn ACL in last weekend’s match against FC Tulsa.

Lasso underwent successful surgery to repair the tear at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital on Thursday, under the supervision of Dr. George Canizares, MD.

One of the longest tenured players on Tampa Bay’s roster, Lasso played his best game of the season against FC Tulsa before being subbed out with eight minutes to play having recorded two goals and put in an impressive defensive performance. Lasso earned a spot on the USL Championship Team of the Week and was named Player of the Week for his contributions to the Rowdies’ 5-0 victory.

A three-time USL Championship Defender of the Year, Lasso has appeared in 95 matches across all competitions during his four seasons with the Rowdies.

“We’re incredibly disappointed on behalf of Forrest, but the club will do whatever it can to support him as he begins his road to recovery from this injury,” said Rowdies Head Coach Robbie Neilson. “We’ll miss Forrest’s leadership on the field. However, we know he will continue to be an impactful player for our club off the field this season. On behalf of everyone at the Rowdies, we wish Forrest a speedy recovery.”

Analysis

It’s a cruel twist that the high point of Forrest Lasso’s season so far be accompanied by a season-ending injury, and it leaves the Rowdies with a question of how they fill the gap in both on-field presence and leadership it will have to contend with for the rest of the season. Wednesday night’s performance in the Open Cup – which saw Eddie Munjoma slide into the back line alongside Aaron Guillen and Jordan Doherty – proved reasonably effective, and with the high defensive line the Rowdies are aiming to employ this season Munjoma’s speed should be an asset in that shape.

The Rowdies do also have another experienced center back in Freddy Kleemann at their disposal, who at 6-foot-4 can give a solid rendition of Lasso’s aeriel prowess – a season ago, Kleeman won 57 of 84 aerial duels, a 67.9 percent success rate. Don’t be surprised, however, if the Rowdies look for back-up to see out the campaign either in the form of a loanee from a club in Major League Soccer or a full-time signing to provide cover for what’s still a long season ahead.