VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed on Friday that midfielder Matias Laba underwent successful surgery yesterday afternoon for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his right knee.

Laba, who suffered the injury in the first half of Vancouver’s away match at New England on August 12, is expected to make a full recovery by next spring.

This year, the native of Villa Raffo, Argentina started 19 MLS regular season matches and all four CONCACAF Champions League matches for Whitecaps FC. The 25-year old, who joined the club prior to the start of the 2014 season, ranks fourth all-time for Vancouver in MLS regular season appearances with 113.