Kévin Cabral Injury: What Elbow Surgery Means as the Transfer Window Closes

COMMERCE CITY – Injuries happen in soccer; they are just as much a part of the game as goals and fouls. And there is never a good time for an injury to occur. In the case of Colorado Rapids winger Kévin Cabral, the timing for his recent injury could not have been worse. Cabral suffered a dislocated elbow as he scored against his old club, the LA Galaxy in their 3-2 loss at Dignity Health Sports Park back on July 17, 2024. 

Cabral has been enjoying a renaissance season in 2024, scoring 5 goals and 4 assists, matching his career best year in 2021 with the Galaxy. In an ironic twist, Kévin, an outcast of sorts with the Galaxy after being traded to the Rapids in 2022, scored his career-tying fifth goal on the same play that he was injured. In the 32^ndminute, Cabral slotted home a cross on the left wing from Jonathan Lewis, equalizing the score at 1-1. As he followed his shot into the goal, he stumbled and fell arm-first into the net, striking his elbow on the bottom net connection bar. Initially he returned to play after a lengthy sideline triage, but was subsequently substituted out at halftime.

Upon his return to Denver, it was announced by the Rapids on July 24 that Cabral underwent successful surgery to repair both a dislocated elbow and compound fracture. Cabral could miss up to 12 weeks from the date of his surgery, putting a serious question mark on whether or not he can return before the end of the regular season.

The injury certainly is a blow to Cabral, who has worked extremely hard to reinvent himself with first year Rapids head coach Chris Armas, who reportedly met at length with Cabral and Captain Keegan Rosenberry first when he was named the new head coach in November 2022. Armas has been a tremendous advocate for Cabral, and the winger has blossomed under Armas’ system.

“The first guy I met on the job deliberately was Kévin. I brought him into my office. We talked and connected. I gave him a big hug. I wanted to really see if I can help the player. Kévin gets himself into really good spots. We see him score a lot in training,” Armas told Burgundy Wave before the injury.

Since Cabral was traded from the Galaxy, Rapids fans have been hard pressed to find another player who has had to overcome as much negative perceptions amongst the fanbase. Cabral was traded from the Galaxy under a multi-year contract being paid sub-$2 million per year. As a Rapid, he was given the Designated Player designation, and had a wildly inconsistent first year with the club. LAG are picking up roughly half of his salary for the remainder of his contract though.

Not that anyone really had a strong performance in 2023, a year where the Rapids were historically awful, but Kévin’s trade and performance had been rumored to be one of the catalysts that led to the sacking of Robin Fraser as head coach. Cabral had earned widespread scorn and disdain from Rapids faithful.

However, within a short time, Armas has helped transform Cabral into a proper winger, and along with a resurgent Rafael Navarro, Djordjie Mihailović’s breakout performance and a re-energized Cole Bassett, combined into a strike force that has scored 50 goals in 26 games in league play.

Cabral’s play has changed many perceptions, but what hasn’t changed is his work ethic. At practice, he is considered one of the hardest workers on the team, often staying late to work on set pieces, drills, and free kicks with his teammates. Adding to a friendly and polite demeanor has given Cabral a second chance within a second chance.

And with that change of perception comes a fear that this long-term injury could affect both his personal progression and the team’s fortunes as they gear up for a playoff run, a first since Thanksgiving Day 2021. Only time will tell if this young man can recapture the magic of this season.

Regardless of the outcome, he can be proud that he gained some revenge for the Galaxy showing a lack of faith, and has given many Rapids fans (myself included) a chance to reflect on how all it takes is a change of leadership to unlock the potential of a diamond in the rough.

This leaves the Rapids thin at the winger position. Calvin Harris and Omir Fernandez collectively have done well on the right in the 4-2-3-1. Jonathan Lewis has been on great for the last month. He and rookie Kimani Stewart-Baynes have both had injuries this year. The MLS Secondary Transfer Window closes this Wednesday August 14.

An MLS veteran could be acquired as a rental. Colorado hasn’t used the Season Ending Injury option on Cabral. They would have by now. There’s still an open U22 Slot and International Slot. If the club signs no-one, that’s an indication they believe Lewis can do well enough at the position with KSB off the bench until Cabral returns.

This article was written by Rapids STM and friend of the site Eric Stinson.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken

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