Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Matias Laba undergoes surgery for torn ACL

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

“Football kicks you in the teeth when you least expect it,” head coach Carl Robinson said a couple of days after the injury. “It usually kicks people — good people — in the teeth.

Supplied

Mad Hatter meets modern day in ELJHS production of 'Alice#Wonderland'

31m ago

Red and amber lights

Maskwacis RCMP issue reminder for school bus safety

1h ago

denied rights, they say

Treaty Chiefs say nation-to-nation talks needed on natural resource jurisdiction

2h ago

“When he stays down there’s usually a reason.”

A defensive midfielder tasked with protecting Vancouver’s backline and breaking up opposing attacks, Laba started 19 games in MLS and four more in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2017.

The 25-year-old Argentine, who joined the club from Toronto FC in 2014, ranks fourth all-time for the Whitecaps with 113 regular-season appearances in MLS.

While his loss is a big blow to Vancouver, the club signed midfielder Aly Ghazal, an Egyptian international with similar traits, after he parted ways with his club in China a few days before Laba went down.

The Whitecaps also have Andrew Jacobson, Russell Teibert and Aaron Maund available to try and fill Laba’s void.

Currently occupying the sixth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, Vancouver (10-9-5) visits Orlando City SC (8-10-7) on Saturday.

The Canadian Press