MLS
The 2021 MLS season has been a nightmare for Carlos Vela
The Mexico international has missed a total of 10 games so far this campaign with Los Angeles Football Club due to a hamstring injury.
Carlos Vela has been one of the best players in Major League Soccer since arriving in 2018, but during the last two years he has not been able to recover his level due to a series of injuries. Last season he suffered a knee injury and he missed a total of 12 games. Nevertheless Vela was able to score four goals and give one assist in seven appearances.
Vela ruled out for ‘El Tráfico’
The Mexico international got injured in the opening game of the 2021 Major League Soccer season and he had to leave the game in the 22nd minute. LAFC managed to defeat Austin FC 2-0 in the season opener without their best player. After the match it was confirmed that he suffered a hamstring injury and he missed the next three matches.
Vela returned on 17 May in Los Angeles FC 2-0 defeat against the Sounders and he only played 20 minutes. The Mexican international would score his first goal of the campaign against Colorado Rapids one week later and he made 16 consecutive appearances with LAFC, but on 22 August he suffered another hamstring injury.
The 2019 Major League Soccer MVP left the game in the 16th minute in LAFC’s 2-1 defeat to Vancouver. Since then he has missed seven games and he has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Galaxy in the second derby of the season.
LAFC’s head coach, Bob Bradley, confirmed that Vela will return to practice next week and he could see some minutes against San Jose Earthquakes on 16 October. The injuries he has suffered in the past two years have stalled negotiations to renew his contract which expires in December.