Sam Adekugbe suffers brutal injury that ends his Vancouver Whitecaps season

Sam Adkugbe’s season is over, for both the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian men’s national team.

The 30-year-old left back suffered an Achilles tendon tear while playing for Canada late in Tuesday’s match against Côte D’Ivoire in Toronto.

“The club’s medical team, along with Adekugbe, will determine next steps in the coming days,” the Whitecaps said in a media release, adding that the injury is indeed season-ending.

It marks the end of what was already a difficult season for Adekugbe, who was limited to just 12 matches due to other injuries this season.

“Sam has demonstrated tremendous dedication and resilience in his journey back to full fitness, which makes this setback even more heartbreaking,” said Whitecaps FC sporting director Axel Schuster. “He’ll need time to process this moment, and throughout his recovery, he’ll have the unwavering support of everyone at the club. Sam is part of our family, and we’re all behind him as he begins his road to recovery.”

Canada has called up Zorhan Bassong from Sporting Kansas City to replace Adekugbe at Gold Cup, which begins Tuesday at BC Place. Real grass is being installed for the match against Honduras, which will serve as a tune-up for next year’s FIFA World Cup.

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