Sean Franklin (28) was MLS rookie of the year last season. Sean Franklin (28) was MLS rookie of the year last season. (Danny Moloshok/Associated Press)

Los Angeles Galaxy defender Sean Franklin underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a bilateral sports hernia.

Franklin, 23, had the procedure performed in Munich, Germany, and plans to return to Los Angeles on Thursday.

He is expected to be fully recovered in time for the Galaxy's season opener on March 22.

Franklin posted one assist in 27 matches last season, when he was named Major League Soccer's rookie of the year over Geoff Cameron of the Houston Dynamo and Kheli Dube of the New England Revolution.

Franklin suffered the injury in domestic training with the U.S. national team at Carson, Calif.

With files from the Associated Press