Updated

Chicago Fire defender Cory Gibbs had successful surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee on Tuesday and will be out four to six months.

Gibbs, the Fire's 2011 Defender of the Year, suffered the injury in training on April 4. He started 26 games for Chicago last year, and played every minute of the Fire's three games this season.

"The first couple days after hearing about the injury was basically another low point in my life," said Gibbs. "With all the support from my wife, family, teammates and with prayer, I definitely have a more positive outlook today.

"I've dealt with injuries in the past and have come back to perform at a high level. I hate missing training and contributing in games so from the first day after the operation, I'm going to do everything I can to get back as soon as possible."

The 32-year-old Gibbs has also played for the Dallas Burn, Colorado Rapids and New England Revolution in MLS. He has played 104 MLS games in his career, and 103 of those were starts.

He earned 19 caps for the United States from 2003-06, and spent time in Europe earlier in his club career.