© The Associated Press FILE – In this July 14, 2015, file photo, San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Matheus Silva, right, challenges Club America forward Alejandro Diaz (30) for the ball during the second half of an International Champions Cup…
By Joe Lami and Matt Harrington
SAN JOSE–San Jose Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli and the family of Quakes midfielder Matheus Silva have made their way to Reno Hospital Renown Regional Medical Center where Silva was in ICU from a drowning incident at 6:00 AM on Monday July 4th in South Lake Tahoe. Silva was recused by nearby paddle boarders and also by his teammates from the Reno 1868s.
He was given CPR on shore at a resort where he was swimming, fortunately for Silva and those rescuing him the fire and emergency rescue was right across the street from the resort. A bystander on the beach performed CPR on Silva and revived his breathing and heartbeat after he was rushed to Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe and later transferred to Renown Regional Medical Center where he was placed in ICU until he gained consciousness and is able to speak on Thursday. Monday was a worrisome day as Silva’s eyes were dilated and there was a concern that he might have brain damage from not getting oxygen from the drowning.
Meaning the four grueling days of waiting for the Silva family and his teammates came to a relief when he awoke on Thursday and was able to speak. “We are incredibly excited and relieved to announce that Matheus Silva has awoken from his coma and is fully responsive,” said Fioranelli. “The entire Earthquakes organization is grateful for the invaluable effort by the doctors, players and staff at Reno 1868 FC and bystanders on the beach that contributed to Matheus being alive and well today.”
The Earthquakes were in Atlanta where they were playing the Atlanta United in a 4-2 loss on July 4th and were aware of the drowning and that Silva was in the hospital. Siva’s 1868 teammates contacted Silva’s high school coach in Florida where it just so happen Silva’s mother Marcia was visiting the school at that time and the Silva Family was contacted in Brazil where they flew out to join Fioranelli at the Reno Hospital to check on Silva.
Silva will begin a series of physical therapy to build his strength back up according to reports Silva is making tremendous progress in his recovery considering he was near death on Monday morning. Don’t be surprised to see him kicking the ball around in a month or two.
Joe Lami and Matt Harrington cover San Jose Earthquakes MLS Soccer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com catch complete game day coverage on Monday July 10th from Avaya Stadium with London Marq when the Quakes host the Los Angeles Galaxy


