New York City FC's Drew Baiera to undergo ACL surgery

The defender will miss significant time after suffering a knee injury.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:00am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a soccer player's knee in various overlapping perspectives, conceptually representing the complexity of an ACL injury.A cubist interpretation of a soccer player's knee injury, reflecting the complex and fragmented nature of ACL tears that sideline athletes.NYC Today

New York City FC announced that defender Drew Baiera will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured ACL in his left knee. The injury will sideline the player for an extended period as he recovers from the procedure.

Why it matters

ACL tears are common but serious injuries in professional soccer, often requiring months of rehabilitation. Baiera's absence will be a significant blow to New York City FC's backline as they push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The details

Baiera, 27, suffered the ACL tear during training earlier this week. The team's medical staff evaluated the injury and determined surgery was the best course of action to ensure a full recovery. The defender is expected to miss at least 6-9 months of action.

  • Baiera suffered the ACL tear during a training session on April 8, 2026.
  • The surgery to repair the ruptured ACL is scheduled for April 15, 2026.

The players

Drew Baiera

A 27-year-old defender for New York City FC who will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured ACL in his left knee.

New York City FC

The professional soccer team based in New York City that Baiera plays for in the MLS.

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What they’re saying

“Losing Drew for an extended period is a big blow, but we're confident he'll make a full recovery and return to the field stronger than ever.”

— Nick Cushing, Head Coach, New York City FC

What’s next

Baiera will undergo surgery on April 15 and begin his rehabilitation process, with the goal of returning to the field in 6-9 months.

The takeaway

ACL injuries are an unfortunate reality in professional soccer, and New York City FC will have to find a way to adapt without one of their key defensive starters for the foreseeable future as Baiera works to make a full recovery.