Joao Paulo: Seattle Sounders midfielder undergoes ACL surgery | OneFootball

Seattle Sounders midfielder Joao Paulo has undergone successful reconstruction surgery on his right ACL, the club announced Friday.

The Brazilian has been a key part of Brian Schmetzer's team over the last couple of years, figuring among the best midfielders in Major League Soccer.

But Joao Paulo came out of the Sounders' Concacaf Champions League final second-leg win over Pumas on a stretcher earlier this month, with it confirmed shortly after that he'd suffered a torn ACL.

A short statement from the Sounders on Friday confirmed the midfielder had successfully undergone surgery, performed by Dr. Bert Mandelbaum on Wednesday, May 25, in Santa Monica, California. Joao Paulo will begin his rehabilitation process immediately.

Prior to his injury, Joao Paulo played 13 times for Seattle across all competitions this season, scoring one goal and assisting another. The former Botafogo and Internacional man helped the Sounders become the first MLS team to win the Concacaf Champions League, playing in seven of their eight matches in the competition.