Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed today that defender Mouloud Akloul underwent successful surgery on Monday for an injury sustained during Saturday's match against Athletic Club of St. Louis at Swangard Stadium. The former French U-17 international suffered an ankle fracture, as well as a medial and high ankle sprain, when he scored the match winner during Saturday's 1-0 victory. Akloul is expected to be sidelined for four months. Akloul, 27, joined the club earlier this month following a one-year spell in the United Arab Emirates with Al-Ittihad Kalba of the UAE Football League Division 1. Prior to his move to the Middle East, Akloul played two seasons in Algeria's top-flight and five seasons in France. The Whitecaps (2W-0L-1D) continue their 2010 United States Soccer Federation Division-2 Professional League (USSF D-2) campaign this Thursday night at 7 p.m. PT versus Portland Timbers (2W-0L-1D) at PGE Park in Portland, Oregon. Thursday marks the first of four regular season matches between the Pacific Northwest rivals and Major League Soccer expansion cousins. The Whitecaps return to Swangard on Wednesday, May 5, to open their 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship campaign against USSF D-2 rivals Montreal Impact at 7:30 p.m. PT. Tickets start at $20, plus applicable service charges, and are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres, online at ticketmaster.ca
