Vancouver Whitecaps striker Masato Kudo will have surgery for a fractured jaw he suffered in Wednesday's 2-1 defeat of the Chicago Fire, the team has announced.
Kudo, who moved to Vancouver from Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol in January, collided violently with Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson while chasing a long ball in the 11th minute.
UPDATE: Kudo suffered a fractured jaw and is scheduled to undergo surgery: https://t.co/OdXEW85cTG #VWFC pic.twitter.com/GfFHnQ1kCt
- Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) May 12, 2016
The 26-year-old bit his lip and tongue in the clash, and had to be rolled over onto his stomach by Fire defender Joao Meira to avoid swallowing his tongue.
"I think Joao turned him over. It was a smart move because he had blood in his mouth," Fire midfielder Razvan Cocis said after the match.
"When I got there, I tried to put my finger in his mouth to take his tongue out so he doesn't swallow it. His mouth was stuck. I forced him to open it and tried to keep his tongue out and then everybody came."
Kudo, who has scored one goal in eight matches for the club, has not been given a timetable for his return to action.