LAFC: VELA SET FOR INJURY RETURN

Mexican striker Carlos Vela could make his long-awaited return from injury when Los Angeles FC (LAFC) take on Seattle Sounders later this week.

LAFC manager Bob Bradley gave an update on Carlos Vela in his pre-match press conference earlier this week ahead of the crucial game against Seattle Sounders. The former United States of America (USA) national football team manager told reporters that Carlos Vela continues to make progress in training and that he could play some minutes against the Brian Schmetzer-led Sounders team.

Carlos Vela has missed a big part of the regular season for the 2021 MLS but it's better late than never for the ex-Arsenal and Real Sociedad forward as LAFC chase down a playoff berth in the last three games. His return from injury could provide a timely boost for his team. LAFC are three points adrift of the playoffs line in the Western Conference ahead of the final three matches of the regular season.
For a start, LAFC fans would be delighted that there talisman is no longer in the treatment room and it remains to be seen if he can fire them towards a place in the playoffs over the last three games.
LAFC manager Bradley and his players need to beat Seattle Sounders at home to boost their hopes of a playoff berth at the end of the regular season and they have to do it without Carlos Vela, at least from the start. Bradley said in his last press conference that Vela would only make an appearance as a substitute against Seattle Sounders if he's in the squad for the game.
Carlos Vela has suffered from a lot of injuries during his time in the MLS (Major League Soccer) with LAFC. The Mexican has been restricted to 17 games in the MLS this season and he has scored five goals in those games. This is on the back of four goals in just seven games a year ago. LAFC fans have not been able to enjoy the footballing qualities possessed by Vela over a long period of time especially after his record-breaking 34 goals in the 2019 MLS regular season, while winning the Landon Donovan MVP (Most Valuable Player) Award and the Supporters’ Shield Title.