Frisco, Texas – A little over a year ago, left back Tyshawn Rose played his final game of the 2023 season with North Texas SC. In a standout rookie season, the former Boston College Eagle featured 19 times and led the team with five assists. All that came to a premature end though, as he suffered a torn ACL against Portland Timbers2 on July 29, 2023.
“It’s such terrible timing. I was doing really well in the season, and I wanted to help the team get far in the season. After getting my results a few days later I felt down knowing I tore my ACL. I felt like I let the team, and myself, down.”
Long-term injuries can affect an athlete mentally as much as physically throughout the recovery process. Rose initially struggled with the physical demands of rehab but it was his mentality that was tested the most in the recovery journey. In the nearly year-long process, he did not cave in and kept his patience.
“Wearing a knee brace and being on crutches was the most uncomfortable part of the recovery process. Luckily it was something that lasted (only) two weeks. The mental struggle is something I experienced the most. I felt like I was ready at times, but I decided to be patient with myself and take it a step at a time.”
The work and efforts of both the North Texas SC athletic training staff and his physical therapist in Connecticut made it a smooth recovery for Rose. He felt the support from the staff that was working countless hours with him, and it fueled his energy to keep climbing back.
"Payton (Price) drove me to my surgery and helped out the first couple of days. Sean (Dunbar) has been a very big help to me as well as my PTs in Connecticut. It was all a team effort.”
Three-hundred and forty days after the initial injury, Rose made his first appearance of the 2024 season, coming off the bench and playing 31 minutes in a 4-0 win over MNUFC2. Eleven days later, he logged his first start of the season, playing 59 minutes against Colorado Rapids 2. The long and arduous journey had paid off in the end.
Now he is looking to recapture that burst and reach the level he showed during his impressive rookie season as the team pushes for the number one spot in the West.
“It was a great experience and it felt surreal to be back out there after such a long time. My rhythm in the game is getting better. I’m looking forward to continuing working with these great guys.”
