Several Major League Soccer (MLS) teams will enter Matchday 2 with significant player absences due to injury, suspension, and illness, impacting lineups across the league. The MLS Player Injury Report highlights key sidelined athletes as of Saturday, February 28, ahead of this weekend’s matches.
Detailed Injury Updates by Team
Atlanta United faces major setbacks with Dominik Chong Qui sidelined due to a knee injury, Jay Fortune out with a foot issue, and Will Reilly ruled out after hamstring trouble.
Charlotte FC is without defender Henry Kessler, who remains out with a lower-body injury.
Chicago Fire FC has multiple players listed: André Franco, Andrew Gutman, and Sam Rogers are out due to lower-body injuries. Additionally, Jonathan Bamba, Jack Elliott, Viktor Radojevic, and Jason Shokalook are questionable with various head and lower-body concerns.
FC Cincinnati loses Kristian Fletcher to a knee injury while Evander’s leg injury status remains uncertain.
Colorado Rapids report Ali Fadal unavailable due to an abdominal injury.
Columbus Crew will miss Dylan Chambost (thigh) and Mohamed Farsi (sports hernia).
FC Dallas lists Jonathan Sirois as questionable from a head injury.
Houston Dynamo FC has Artur and Reese Miller out with lower-body injuries; Felipe Andrade, Franco Negri, and Ezequiel Ponce carry questionable status due to hip and lower-body issues.
Sporting Kansas City will be without Zorhan Bassong, Jack Kortkamp, Justin Reynolds, and Ryan Schewe due to hamstring, ankle, and hand injuries. Lasse Berg Johnsen is out for reasons unrelated to injury, and Stephen Afrifa remains questionable with a hamstring problem.
LA Galaxy has Emirao Garcés suspended and Chris Rindov sidelined by a leg injury.
Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) reports multiple injuries with Lorenzo Dellavalle, Jeremy Ebobisse, Igor Jesus, Aaron Long, and Jacob Shaffelburg all out due to various leg and pelvis injuries.
Minnesota United FC has no injury concerns for this matchday.
CF Montréal will miss Tomás Avilés due to suspension.
Nashville SC has a trio of players—Charles-Emile Brunet, Sam Surridge, and Xavier Valdez—listed as questionable due to illnesses.
New England Revolution is without Peyton Miller (calf), while Leo Campana, Ethan Kohler, and Will Sands remain questionable with lower-body and head injuries.
Portland Timbers face significant absences with David Da Costa (shoulder), Omir Fernandez (foot), Zac McGraw (back), and Juan Mosquera (ankle) all out.
Real Salt Lake carries a notably long list of players sidelined including Juan Jose Arias, Emeka Eneli, Kobi Henry, Diego Luna, Victor Olatunji, and DeAndre Yedlin due to groin, knee, hamstring, and eye injuries.
New York Red Bulls have Cameron Harper, A.J. Marcucci, and Mohammed Sofo out due to knee and ankle injuries.
San Jose Earthquakes will play without Earl Edwards Jr. and Ronaldo Vieira, both sidelined due to lower-body injuries.
Seattle Sounders FC misses Pedro de la Vega (knee), Stuart Hawkins (quad), Jordan Morris (quad), and Ryan Sailor (knee). Kim Kee-hee and Georgi Minoungou are questionable with calf and foot issues.
Toronto FC suffers multiple absences with Theo Corbeanu, Adisa De Rosario, Nicksoen Gomis, Deandre Kerr, Matheus Pereira, and Henry Wingo all out due to injuries including knee, hand, Achilles, adductor, groin, and hamstring.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC sees Sam Adekugbe, Bruno Caicedo, Ryan Gauld, Belal Halbouni, Sebastian Schonlau, Ranko Veselinović, and Liam Mackenzie unable to play due to various injury and suspension reasons, with Kenji Cabrera listed as questionable for a lower-body injury.
Upcoming Status Reports and League Disciplinary Notes
Player status updates for March 1 fixtures are expected to be released late on February 28. Additionally, disciplinary summaries will factor into team compositions for matchday 2. Suspensions such as those of Emilio Garcés (LA Galaxy) and Tomás Avilés (CF Montréal) remain in effect, shaping starting options.
Significance of Player Absences for Matchday 2 Performances
The extensive injury list presents challenges for several MLS clubs striving to find stability early in the season, opening opportunities for squad depth players and emphasizing the need for tactical adjustments. Teams like Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles FC face particularly tough situations with numerous key players missing, possibly impacting their competitive potential in the upcoming matches.
Conversely, Minnesota United stands out as fully fit, potentially giving them an edge. Close monitoring of questionable players will be critical, as last-minute changes could influence lineups and strategies. The evolving injury landscape highlights the physical demands MLS teams endure and sets the stage for a cautious but hopeful weekend of play.
