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As the Major League Soccer season moves into Matchday 2, clubs across the league are already grappling with a mounting injury list and a series of suspensions that could significantly impact early-season momentum.
Several teams have been hit particularly hard, with defensive units and key attacking players sidelined.
LAFC and Vancouver Depleted
Los Angeles Football Club are among the worst affected sides, listing five players out through injury. Lorenzo Dellavalle, Jeremy Ebobisse, Igor Jesus and Aaron Long are all sidelined with leg issues, while Jacob Shaffelburg is out with a pelvis injury, leaving the Western Conference contenders stretched thin at both ends of the pitch.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC face an even longer absentee list. Ryan Gauld and Belal Halbouni are both recovering from knee injuries, Sam Adekugbe is out with an Achilles problem, and Sebastian Schonlau is nursing a calf issue. Ranko Veselinović also remains sidelined with a knee injury, while Liam Mackenzie is away on international duty and Bruno Caicedo is unavailable for non-injury reasons.
Real Salt Lake and Toronto Hit Hard
Real Salt Lake will be without six players, including Diego Luna and Emeka Eneli (both knee), Kobi Henry and DeAndre Yedlin (hamstring), Juan Jose Arias (groin), and Victor Olatunji (eye). The Utah-based side faces an early test of squad depth.
Toronto FC are similarly stretched, with six players ruled out. Theo Corbeanu (knee), Nicksoen Gomis (Achilles), Deandre Kerr (adductor), Matheus Pereira (groin) and Henry Wingo (hamstring) are all sidelined, while Adisa De Rosario is unavailable with a hand injury.
Inter Miami Without Suárez
Inter Miami CF will be without veteran striker Luis Suárez due to a lower leg injury, alongside Sergio Reguilón (knee). The absence of Suárez is a significant blow to Miami’s attacking options as they look to build early-season form.
Seattle and Portland Facing Challenges
Seattle Sounders FC have four confirmed absentees, including Pedro de la Vega (knee) and Jordan Morris (quad), with Kim Kee-hee and Georgi Minoungou listed as questionable.
Meanwhile, Portland Timbers will be without David Da Costa (shoulder), Omir Fernandez (foot), Zac McGraw (back) and Juan Mosquera (ankle), further complicating preparations for their upcoming fixtures.
Atlanta, Austin and Chicago Monitoring Key Injuries
Atlanta United FC have three players out, including Jay Fortune (foot) and Will Reilly (hamstring). Austin FC are missing four, notably Brandon Vazquez (knee) and Owen Wolff (sports hernia).
Chicago Fire FC list three players out and four questionable, with Jonathan Bamba and Jack Elliott among those facing late fitness tests.
Elsewhere, Orlando City SC, New York City FC and San Diego FC are also managing multiple absences, while Minnesota United FC and CF Montréal are the only clubs reporting fully fit squads.
Disciplinary Concerns Add to Selection Headaches
In addition to injuries, several players will miss upcoming fixtures due to suspension.
Jonathan Dean of Chicago Fire is suspended for denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) and will miss the March 7 trip to Columbus. Houston’s Antonio Carlos will sit out the March 14 clash against Portland following a red card for serious foul play.
Philadelphia Union’s Agustín Bouzat (DOGSO) and Olwethu Makhanya (second caution) are both suspended for their March 7 match against San Jose, while Nashville’s Matt Corcoran and Orlando’s Colin Guske will also serve one-match bans.
Portland’s Jimer Fory is suspended for serious foul play, ruling him out against Vancouver.
Notably, as of March 4, no players are currently one caution away from suspension under the league’s accumulation policy.
With the campaign still in its infancy, the growing injury list and early disciplinary setbacks present an immediate test of squad depth across MLS. As clubs prepare for Matchday 2 and beyond, rotation and recovery management could prove decisive in shaping the early standings.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay / Lernestorod
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