MLS injury report: Julio Cascante out, Alan Pulido still a doubt
The 2023 Major League Soccer season kicked off on Saturday, February 25, seeing teams finally take the field after months. Players did not disappoint, inspiring record-breaking victories and stunning goals.
But several figures struggled to get back into the action, resulting in injuries. Here's the Matchday 1 injury report...
1. Julio Cascante
Austin FC confirmed center back Julio Cascante suffered a severe left adductor strain during the 3-2 season-opening loss to St. Louis CITY at Q2 Stadium, and will remain on the sidelines 'indefinitely'. The player will be re-evaluated in eight weeks.
He will not require surgery for the injury.
It's a huge blow for the team, as Cascante stood as an integral part of the backline since Austin made their MLS debut in 2020. He’s contributed five goals and six assists across 58 games, inspiring the team to the Western Conference final in that time.
2. Alan Pulido
The Mexican forward remains 'questionable' for Sporting Kansas City. Despite making good progress, he failed to make the bench in the team's season opener against the Portland Timbers on Monday.
Head coach Peter Vermes confirmed Pulido has rejoined training with the team, but remains unavailable for game days. The team did not provide a specific timeline on his official return.
When speaking to 90min in January, Pulido mentioned he remains hopefully to be back early this season.
"The recuperation has been long. It’s been a complicated year. But very happy to be so close to being back on the field. I am a very positive person, I always try to see the good in every situation. With the injury it was hard, but I tried to let it bring out the best in me."
3. Diego Rubio
Colorado Rapids forward Diego Rubio will be sidelined for several weeks after undergoing a successful arthroscopic procedure to remove a loose body in his right knee.
The team confirmed Rubio’s recovery period is 'between two to five weeks'.
His absence is a huge blow for the Rapids, after standing as the team’s leading scorer in 2022 with 16 goals and seven assists in 30 matches. He also equaled the Rapids’ single-season scoring record and set a new club record for single-season goal contributions.
Without Rubio, head coach Robin Fraser is expected to lean on homegrown forward Darren Yapi, Sam Nicholson and Kevin Cabral. The three kicked off in the 0-4 loss against the Seattle Sounders, struggling in the season-opener to make an offensive impact.
4. Lorenzo Insigne
Toronto FC dramatically fell 3-2 to D.C. United in their 2023 MLS season-opener at Audi Field, as an extra-time goal by Theodore Ku-DiPietro propelled the Black & Red to three points.
It was a disappointing start to the new campaign, after failing to uphold the draw and losing star figure Lorenzo Insigne to an injury in the first half. The player exited the pitch in the 34th minute, after suffering a lower-body knock. He initially attempted to run off the injury, but quickly signaled to the Reds’ sidelines for a change. He was later seen visibly upset on the bench.
Toronto FC head coach and sporting director Bob Bradley revealed the team had 'no update' during the post-match press conference, admitting the player 'felt something in the lower leg [and] couldn’t continue'.
5. Chicharito
The LA Galaxy figure will be sidelined for two to five weeks after picking up a hamstring injury in a training session last week. Chicharito was initially ruled out of the season-opening El Trafico, before the fixture was eventually postponed due to weather conditions in Los Angeles.
But now, its looking like he'll miss the first month of the 2023 campaign as he recovers.