LAFC: Carlos Vela could return against the Los Angeles Galaxy
The Mexican international has missed a total of eight games this season due to a hamstring injury but he could reach full fitness in October.
Carlos Vela suffered a hamstring injury at the start of the campaign and missed three games. The Mexican international has struggled to stay healthy this season and the LAFC captain suffered the same injury on 22 August, missing a further five matches. Vela will be unavailable on Saturday against the Earthquakes and LAFC boss Bob Bradley gave an injury update on his star player.
“The question mark of when he can begin playing is against the Galaxy [3 October] and up until now he [Carlos Vela] will not play against San Jose or Portland. I am not saying he will play against the Galaxy, but the real answer will come when he returns to regular training. He has been on the field doing a little more, but Carlos is not training with the rest of the team.”
LAFC making a late playoff run
Los Angeles FC are in a tough position with the 2021 Major LEague Soccer season coming to an end. The ‘Black & Gold’ are in eighth place with 33 points, one fewer than Minnesota, and a record of 9W-7D-8L. As such the playoffs have already started for LAFC and their first stop will be in northern California against the San Jose Earthquakes on 25 September.
“Before every game now we know they are playoff-type games. We have to go to San Jose and they are a very competitive team so we have to go with a strong mentality. We know their style of play and we are expecting a really tough match,” said Bradley.