Revolution DP Kouassi scheduled for surgery next week

New England Revolution Designated Player Xavier Kouassi is scheduled for surgery next Tuesday, according to RevolutionSoccer.net. The procedure, which will take place in Switzerland, will correct a right knee injury suffered on Sunday.

The Revolution announced the signing of Kouassi on Feb. 1. Six days later, the 26-year-old midfielder was carted off the field during FC Sion's 1-0 win over FC Zurich. Reports have since stated that Kouassi tore his ACL and will miss a minimum of six months.

Kouassi signed a pre-contract with the Revolution, meaning that he would play with Sion until the summer. He was expected to join the Revs in July.

The injury is obviously disappointing for the Revolution, who have expressed excitement about their new defensive midfielder. Head coach Jay Heaps told media on Wednesday that he still has faith that Kouassi will be a good addition.

"It hurts because he’s a player that we expected to help (midseason)," Heaps told RevolutionSoccer.net. "But at the same time, he’ll rebound from this and hopefully be even stronger than before. He’s still 26, he’s going to recover well and impact us at some point."