Portland Timbers were dealt a major blow with the news that Bright Dike will miss the entire MLS season with a serious knee injury.
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The 26-year-old striker tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in last Tuesday's 1-0 pre-season win over the Seattle Sounders in Tuscon, Arizona and has since underwent surgery.
The news comes as a shock to Timbers boss Caleb Porter, who admits Dike was one of the main contenders for a starting berth up front for his side this term.
"It's too bad, We feel for Bright," Porter told the press after Monday's training session at Jeld-Wen Field.
"He was going to be a key piece for us this year. But that's football, it happens and guys get injured, he's a tough kid, he's a great kid, he's a good kid. We'll miss him, but he'll overcome this."
The Timbers, however, have already lined up a potential replacement for Dike in the form of Belize international Deon McCaulay, who is training with the club.
Even so, Porter is confident they have enough depth to cope with the loss of the Nigeria international.
"We need to look at our options," he said. "Losing Bright, he was a guy who was going to push for a starting spot and-or a guy coming off the bench.
"We're certainly looking at what options are out there. We want to see how McCaulay does. We feel good about our depth."
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