LAFC star Vela 'week-to-week' after suffering knee injury

Los Angeles FC will evaluate star Carlos Vela on a "week-to-week" basis after he injured his left MCL, the club said Tuesday.

The reigning MLS MVP suffered the injury during his side's 2-0 loss against the LA Galaxy over the weekend.

Head coach Bob Bradley says the Mexican forward will at least miss the season restart's five remaining phase one matches. LAFC currently have games scheduled through Sept. 13, meaning the team will sideline Vela for at least three weeks.

"It's a Grade 2 MCL (injury) that we see in football many times, and we just have to evaluate him week-by-week. Carlos is disappointed and would have really preferred to be with the team in Orlando, but the circumstances with his family came first," Bradley said. "He was excited for the match (against the Galaxy). Whenever you're playing your first match in five months is never easy, and it ends with an MCL (injury)."

Vela opted out of the MLS is Back Tournament earlier this summer to remain home with his family and pregnant wife.

The 31-year-old is coming off a record-breaking campaign in 2019, where he set the MLS benchmark for goals (34) in a single season. He scored in each of LAFC's first two matches of the 2020 campaign before the ongoing coronavirus pandemic halted play.