J.J. Macias out for additional 9 months after second ACL tear

Chivas de Guadalajara figure Jose Juan Macias will remain sidelined for another eight to nine months after suffering a “complete tear” to his ACL during training.

The club confirmed Macias underwent successful surgery, and is set to go through an extensive rehabilitation process. 

This stands as Macias’ second major injury, after picking up an ACL tear to his right knee on Thursday, June 30. He missed the entire 2022 Liga MX Apertura, and was scheduled to return to the pitch in just a couple of weeks. 

The team confirmed this new injury was not a “relapse” of the 2022 ACL tear, but an independent rupture. 

“It is important to highlight that this injury is not a relapse in the recovery process that was carried out satisfactorily. We hope that the entire Chiva Nation joins in the good wishes for Jose Juan,” the team said in a statement.  

Chivas are also currently without star forward Alexis Vega, who remains sidelined after undergoing surgery to his right knee. He is expected to return in April. 

Head coach Veljko Paunovic must continue depending on Daniel Rios, Victor Guzman and Ronaldo Cisneros to lead the attack. It has worked out well for the team so far, managing 12 points in seven games to sit in fifth place on the Liga MX table.

Chivas returns to the field on Saturday when playing Pumas UNAM at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario.