MLS
Carlos Vela to miss 13th consecutive game with LAFC
Los Angeles Football Club travel to take on FC Dallas on Wednesday in a bid to keep their playoff hopes alive without the Mexican international.
Los Angeles FC is getting used to life without their captain Carlos Vela. The ‘Black & Gold’ is preparing to face FC Dallas on Wednesday night without Vela. The Mexican international will most likely not make the trip as he has not reached full-fitness since injuring his hamstring on 22 August.
LAFC making a late playoff push
The team managed by Bob Bradley is used to not playing with the 2019 MVP because this season he missed a total of 12 games due to injuries. Vela is expected to get minutes on 23 October against Minnesota or three days later against Seattle Sounders. Bradley gave injury updates on Vela and Eduard Atuesta on Tuesday.
“With Carlos and Vela, both are still questionable. We are trying to move these guys along as quickly as we can and doing it in a way that we don’t push them to the top. They are questionable for the game against FC Dallas,” said Bradley during the press conference.
Fortunately for Bradley, Cristian Arango has been in charge of the offense in Vela's absence. The Colombian striker joined the MLS side during the summer and he has scored a total of eight goals with one assist in 12 league appearances. He was named the Man of the Match in LAFC's 3-1 win against San Jose Earthquakes over the weekend.
LAFC pushing for playoffs
LAFC is making a late push to enter the playoff picture with five games left of the 2021 Major League Soccer regular season. They sit in ninth place with 37 points, four away from the last place to make it to the playoffs, and a record of 10W-7D-12L. Another player that has been ruled out for Wednesday’s game is Francisco Ginella, who suffered a MCL injury in the last match.