LAFC coach Bob Bradley mentioned star striker Carlos Vela continues to be questionable forward of his crew’s derby in opposition to LA Galaxy and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez on Saturday.
“Carlos is doing a bit bit [in training], which is all the time essential for all of us,” Bradley mentioned. “Carlos’ state of affairs will nonetheless be checked out, and we’ll decide.”
The matchup between the 2 Mexico internationals is eight years within the making and has the potential to lastly come collectively Saturday night time when among the finest rivalries in MLS takes place in Los Angeles.
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Vela and Hernandez final squared off in 2013 in the course of the UEFA Champions League season. Vela was with Spain’s Real Sociedad that day, whereas Hernandez performed for England’s Manchester United.
Saturday’s sport might be a lot nearer to residence for each, and it’ll make the rivalry generally known as “El Trafico” one other must-see affair.
Vela is attempting to get again on the sphere after a right-quadriceps damage saved him out of the final two video games for LAFC (1-0-2, 5 factors), each 1-1 ties, at residence in opposition to the Seattle Sounders and on the highway final weekend in opposition to the Houston Dynamo.
Hernandez scored 5 mixed objectives over the Galaxy’s first two video games, each victories, however was held in test throughout Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at Seattle. The Galaxy (2-1-0, 6 factors) can have Sebastian Lletget for Saturday’s sport after the midfielder served a two-game suspension for utilizing a homophobic slur.
“Of course we all know LAFC isn’t the identical crew when a participant like Carlos Vela isn’t on the pitch; everyone knows that,” Hernandez mentioned. “But we have to be respectful for the crew and the gamers they’ve as a result of they’re an excellent crew.”
The Galaxy leads the general collection 4-3-3, with each groups defeating one another twice final season.
The Galaxy received 4-3 within the first-ever assembly in 2018 when Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his MLS debut and scored two objectives. LAFC received the one playoff matchup between the groups, 5-3 in 2019.
Information from Reuters was used on this report.
