Rapids midfielder Nana Boateng is expected to miss significant time after fracturing three vertebrae in his back in Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to Real Salt Lake, the team announced Tuesday.
The injury occurred in the first half when Boateng went up for an aerial challenge with RSL’s Luke Mulholland and landed hard on his back. The Rapids said the three fractured lumbar vertebrae will not require surgery.
“This is unfortunate timing for Nana,” Rapids sporting director Pádraig Smith said in a news release. “He has acclimated quickly to the team and the altitude, and was beginning to show the talent and forward drive we identified when bringing him to the club.