LAFC fans can breathe easier. It appears their marquee player will be good to go for the franchise’s first-ever game.
On a conference call with reporters Tuesday, LAFC head coach Bob Bradley said that Designated Player Carlos Vela should be healthy enough to play when the expansion club opens the season Sunday vs. Seattle (5 pm ET, ESPN), as noted by Alicia Rodriguez in Angels on Parade.
Vela, who left LAFC’s final preseason game after grabbing the back of his leg, just has “a little bit of tightness,” according to Bradley, who is “confident that Carlos is ready to go.”
While Vela’s exit was precautionary, so too was the scratch of defender Walker Zimmerman, who also had a little bit of tightness before this past Sunday’s exhibition vs. Sacramento Republic FC and who should also be ready for the opener.
The only two key players who will likely miss the inaugural game due to injury are Laurent Ciman (MCL) and Omar Gaber (groin) – both of whom Bradley said are “working their way back into training.”
