United States men’s national team and Celta Vigo midfielder Luca de la Torre is expected to miss the next three weeks of action after suffering a muscle injury in his left leg. His club announced the news on Friday.
| Luca De la Torre
The footballer suffers a grade I fibrillar rupture@delatorreluca !— RC Celta English (@RCCeltaEN) October 28, 2022
The official injury is a Grade 1 fibrillar rupture in the femoral biceps (located on the back of the thigh as part of the hamstring).
The USMNT’s World Cup campaign would begin three days after LDLT is expected to return from the injury. There’s a chance he could miss the World Cup, however Celta Vigo head coach Eduardo Coudet said he thinks the American would be fit in time for Qatar.
"I have spoken with the doctor, it is a small part (injury)," Coudet said. "He will surely make it. He is a player who has a role with his national team, so there won't be any problem."
The U.S. plays Wales in its opener on Nov. 21.
USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter will have a tough decision to make. Does he take the risk of bringing a beaten up and out of form De la Torre? Or does he opt for another in-form midfielder like Malik Tillman?
De la Torre has had zero starts for Celta Vigo this season and clocked 54 minutes. He’s a player that rarely sees the field and it showed in his lackluster performance during the USMNT’s friendly vs. Japan in September.
The 24-year-old made four appearances for the USMNT during World Cup qualifying and often provided a spark with clever dribbles and passes. He has provided two assists in Concacaf Nations League play with one against Grenada and a beautiful cross against El Salvador.
JORDAN. MORRIS. @JmoSmooth13 equalizes in the 90th minute pic.twitter.com/DxlW7OIgg0
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 15, 2022
Berhalter will have some serious thinking. A total of 26 players will be on the plane to Qatar for the USMNT.
USMNT Midfield Depth Chart
*definitely on the plane to Qatar
- *Weston McKennie
- *Tyler Adams
- *Yunus Musah
- *Kellyn Acosta
- Luca de la Torre
- Malik Tillman
- Gianluca Busio
- Johnny Cardoso
- Cristian Roldan
Other players like Gio Reyna and Brenden Aaronson who are traditionally forwards could also fill in at midfield.
Should De la Torre go to Qatar if he recovers in time?
