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It appears as if we won't see Josh Gatt play soccer again for a while. The speedy winger, who had so many around the American soccer world buzzing in 2012 with his spectacular play with Molde FK, posted a heartfelt Instagram message this morning. In it, he informs us that a second attempt to repair his left knee was unsuccessful and that a third surgery was needed.
A lot has happened to me these past months. I have seen a lot of doctors, in many different countries to find and solve the problem which has been my left knee. I have had a terrible string of injuries and adversity that has made me question the choices I've made and if i should continue to make the same choices again. Most of you don't know what happened but to fill you in, I had to repair my knee again. The last surgery I had didn't take the way we hoped and it led to more damage in my knee. I wish I could say things would be easy and I'd be back sooner rather than later. But that's not the truth. The truth is I have to start at square one, a third time. But that doesn't change what I have to do. I choose to fight. I choose to get back up after getting knocked down again. I choose to NEVER give up and work everyday as hard as I can to continue chasing my dreams. They are far from gone and not even close to out of reach. Some might not believe I can do it, which is your opinion and it's fine. But it's not my opinion. I know I'll play again, I will work as hard as I can everyday to reach my goals and to play again. I am a fighter, I am not a quitter. And I WILL get better. For those of you who support and believe in me I could not ask for anything more and I hope you know I truly appreciate that with all my heart. If you can show me faith and believe in my recovery I will return the favor in kind by doing everything I can to get back on that field. Wish me some luck and keep a look out in the future. I will make my comeback.
-Joshua Gatt; Source: Instagram
It's extremely sad to see yet another American player suffer through this kind of injury peril. Despite the grave situation involving his knee, Gatt remains determined to make a comeback. The Michigan-native is still only 24-years-old, hopefully in his case, the third time is the charm and he'll get to resume his soccer career.
Gatt was called up to the United States men's national team on September 2, 2012. It was on that exact day that his injury woes began forcing him to withdraw from that roster.