For the second straight day, a key member of the Crew’s defense has undergone surgery. Defender Julius James underwent right shoulder surgery to correct reoccurring dislocations that worsened as the year progressed.
Yesterday, head coach Robert Warzycha told me James was the only player other than Chad Marshall, who had ankle surgery, who could be facing surgery. James underwent the procedure today and is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 months, which could see him miss as much as two months of the 2013 season.
Last November, James had surgery on his left shoulder that had been dislocating throughout the season. The final diagnosis was a torn labrum as well a chipped piece of bone in James’ socket. In addition, the doctors were forced to tighten up surrounding muscles that had stretched out to compensate for the torn labrum.
James’ rehab took him into the regular season. Just as he was about to be cleared, he suffered a collapsed lung April 5 that sidelined him further. James made his 2012 debut and served as team captain in the Crew’s 2-1 loss to the Dayton Dutch Lions in the U.S. Open Cup on May 29. In all, he saw action in 12 games after starting in 31 during the 2011 season.
Warzycha said he had been counting on Marshall, James and Carlos Mendes to be his top three candidates to play central defense. The trio combined for a total of 48 appearances due to a host of injuries.
Ironically, James was named the 2012 comeback player of the year at the team’s annual awards banquet. As he accepted the award, James said, “Injuries happen … I’ll try to be more healthy next year.”