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Goalkeeper Ryan Meara, from Fordham University, has been absent from the New York Red Bulls lineup since June 8 after playing every minute of every game up until then. Now, we know why.
The Red Bulls announced Friday that Meara underwent arthroscopic surgery Thursday morning for an injury to his left hip and that he will miss the remainder of the 2012 MLS season. The procedure was performed by Dr. Bryan Kelly at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
After being drafted in the second round (31st overall) in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, Meara earned the starting role in preseason and was a midseason candidate for MLS Rookie of the Year, starting in 18 games for New York and earning a 9-5-4 record and a 1.50 goals against average. The Yonkers, NY native set the shutout record earlier this year for a rookie goalkeeper, not conceding a goal in 321 minutes while helping the Red Bulls earn a five-match winning streak from April 28 to May 19.
Veteran Bill Gaudette, acquired via trade from the LA Galaxy, has taken over in net for the Red Bulls.