2013 Player Profiles: Kwame Watson-Siriboe impresses, ruptures ACL in June

Like some others in our squad, Kwame Watson-Siriboe was a surprise summer addition; he arrived in 2012 and bolstered an injured group. Cue summer 2013: Watson-Siriboe becomes one of the injured players, causing us to bolster the squad with Brandon McDonald.

All that aside, the center back was effective in his limited 2013 minutes, but after rupturing his ACL in June, he was ruled out for the entirety of the season. It was an unfortunate blow, because RSL was already out Chris Schuler, leaving Aaron Maund and Carlos Salcedo to partner Nat Borchers. Both were woefully unproven in June, and while things went remarkably well from that point forward, it made for some difficult and tenuous moments.

2014 will see Watson-Siriboe back in consideration, but he's not yet fully recovered from the injury and subsequent surgery. He'll want to find his way back quickly, but more important than that will be to find his way back such that he doesn't end up with a long-term injury again. That truly would be a blow to a once-promising career, particularly as a 27-year-old player with fewer than 30 MLS appearances to his name. That shouldn't paint him as a poor center back - indeed, he was pretty good for us - but it lends some impetus to a strong recovery.

If Kwame recovers, finds time, and pushes for a regular spot on the bench by mid-season, the season will be a success for him. With Chris Schuler first-choice by a long shot (he was the best player on the pitch at times in the playoffs, after all), that's probably the best position Watson-Siriboe can put himself in: one where, if something goes wrong for other players, he has an opportunity to impress and succeed.

Editor's note: This is part of a series of player profiles recapping the 2013 season and previewing the 2014 season. Player ratings were compiled via a vote by RSL Soapbox writers. Statistics are via mlssoccer.com.