LAFC’s Vela in health race for showdown with ‘Chicharito’ and LA Galaxy

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LAFC coach Bob Bradley said striker Carlos Vela is still in doubt ahead of his team’s derby against LA Galaxy and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez on Saturday.

“Carlos does a little [in training]which is always important to all of us, “said Bradley.” Carlos’ situation is still being investigated and we will make a decision. “

The matchup between the two Mexican internationals lasts eight years and has the potential to finally come together on Saturday night when one of the best rivalries in the MLS takes place in Los Angeles.

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Vela and Hernandez last said goodbye in 2013 during the UEFA Champions League season. Vela was at Real Sociedad in Spain that day while Hernandez was playing for Manchester United in England.

Saturday’s game will be much closer to home for both of them, making the rivalry known as ‘El Trafico’ another must-see.

Vela is trying to get back on the field after suffering a right quadriceps injury from the last two games for LAFC (1-0-2, 5 points), both 1-1 draws, at home against the Seattle Sounders and on kept out the road last weekend against the Houston Dynamo.

Hernandez scored five combined goals in the Galaxy’s first two games, both wins, but was kept in check in Sunday’s 3-0 loss in Seattle. The Galaxy (2-1-0, 6 points) got Sebastian Lletget for Saturday’s game after the midfielder served a two-game suspension for using a homophobic bow.

“Of course we know that when a player like Carlos Vela is not on the field, LAFC is not the same team. We all know that,” said Hernandez. “But we have to be respectful of the team and the players who have them because they are a very good team.”

The Galaxy leads the overall series 4-3-3, with both teams defeating each other twice last season.

The Galaxy won 4-3 at the first meeting in 2018 when Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his MLS debut and scored two goals. LAFC won the only playoff matchup between the teams 5-3 in 2019.

Information from Reuters was used in this report.