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There are only 24 days until the World Cup kicks off in Qatar. The window until the tournament is dwindling and the United States has lost a key squad member.
United States Men’s National Team and Celta Vigo midfielder Luca de la Torre has suffered a torn hamstring. He will be out for three weeks and is now extremely unlikely to feature for the United States in Qatar.
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“Luca de la Torre suffered a grade 1 fibrillar tear in the biceps femoris of his left leg, according to the ultrasound performed by the club’s medical services. The U.S. international will remain out for around three weeks,” said Celta Vigo in a statement.
With the World Cup only 24 days away, this means that de la Torre is unlikely to make the United States roster. USMNT coach Greg Berhalter could still carry the midfielder on the team roster, but this scenario seems unlikely considering the midfielder won’t be fully match-fit.
De la Torre has become an important piece of the American midfield. While not a regular starter, Berhalter has shown faith in the midfielder. Berhalter has given de la Torre 8 caps for the USMNT in 2022 alone. The midfielder has normally been brought on as a substitute, but with Weston McKennie out of form and Yunus Musah returning to full fitness he figured to feature more for the American side.
Adversely, de la Torre has struggled to feature for Celta Vigo this season. The American midfielder only has 5 appearances this season for the Spanish club. De la Torre has totaled 50 minutes of playing time in these appearances, and all have been as a substitute.
With his injury, the United States has lost a key substitute. The Americans will miss de la Torre in Qatar.
