SBI: Soumare Had "Successful Arthroscopic Surgery," Out for Rest of 2012

A second appearance in 2012 by Bakary Soumare will not happen, as the former Chicago Fire standout had yet another surgery on the same knee that knocked him out of play in Germany.

Soccer By Ives reported that Soumare had "successful arthroscopic surgery to fix swelling and lingering pain in the same knee he had surgically repaired earlier in the year." The online soccer news site also said that Soumare told SBI that he was no longer available for the 2012 Major League Soccer season.

The reason behind Soumare's inability to rehab his knee and recover from the March surgery in time to play regularly for the Union was due to the fact that he was working hard to get back into full fitness, according to SBI.

The Philadelphia Union acquired the contractual rights of Mali international from the Vancouver Whitecaps in exchange for allocation money and the team's 2013 first round SuperDraft selection. The center back managed to make only one start for the Union - an appearance that coincided with a 3-1 loss to the Fire - and barely made it into the club's gameday roster otherwise.

Soumare to Have "Minor Knee Procedure Today"

The big center back has failed to make most game day lineups since joining the Philadelphia Union this summer, and it now appears that at least one of his knees is to blame.