Los 40 USA
Sign in to commentAPP
spainSPAINchileCHILEcolombiaCOLOMBIAusaUSAmexicoMEXICOlatin usaLATIN USAamericaAMERICA
Soccer

SOCCER

Why didn’t Gareth Bale play in LAFC’s El Tráfico win over LA Galaxy? Injury update

Bale was absent from Los Angeles FC’s last-gasp victory over Los Angeles Galaxy, as the Black and Gold clinched an MLS Cup Western Conference finals berth.

William Allen
William AllenWAS_Allen
Bale was absent from Los Angeles FC’s last-gasp victory over Los Angeles Galaxy, as the Black and Gold clinched an MLS Cup Western Conference finals berth.
PATRICK T. FALLONAFP

Gareth Bale was not involved in Los Angeles FC’s 3-2 MLS Cup playoffs win over city rivals Los Angeles Galaxy, after being ruled out by injury.

Bale absent as Arango secures spot in Conference finals

LAFC cited a left leg injury as the reason for Bale’s absence from Thursday’s Western Conference semi-final, which saw Cristian Arango’s stoppage-time goal send the Supporters’ Shield champions into the Conference finals.

Before Arango’s last-gasp winner, LAFC had twice been pegged back at Banc of California Stadium, goals by Galaxy’s Samuel Grandsir and Dejan Jovelic cancelling out two strikes by Dénis Bouanga.

The Black and Gold now go on to face either Austin FC or FC Dallas on 30 October, and as the playoff’s top seeds are guaranteed to be the home team.

Since joining the league in 2018, LAFC are yet to win an MLS title. The closest they have come was in the 2019 season, when they were beaten by the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference finals.

Bale to resume training in “next couple of days” - LAFC boss

Speaking after LAFC’s dramatic victory in the LA derby, which is dubbed ‘El Tráfico’, head coach Steve Cherundolo moved to quell concerns over Bale’s fitness, as the Wales captain prepares to lead his country to the World Cup next month.

“He should be back in training very soon, in the next couple of days,” the 43-year-old said. “And so in the next round we should have a full roster.” Cherundolo added: “We will have all options moving forward.”

Bale struggling to make mark in MLS

Bale, 33, has had an underwhelming impact at LAFC since moving to MLS in the summer. The former Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid forward has made just two starts for the franchise, and has featured for only five minutes in the last month.

He has scored twice in a total of 12 MLS appearances - including a memorable solo goal against Real Salt Lake - but has failed to find the net for LAFC since early August.