CARSON, Calif. -- Giovani dos Santos will miss anywhere from two to three weeks according to LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena.
Dos Santos endured a right muscle injury during the Galaxy's 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders FC last weekend that cost him his place in Mexico's roster for Saturday's CONCACAF Cup match with the United States. On Tuesday, the Mexican federation issued a statement estimating that Dos Santos will be out for three weeks with a right adductor injury.
Following training on Thursday, Arena confirmed that Dos Santos will be on the mend for, at least, several weeks.
"We don't know the extent of how long he'll be out. He'll be out anywhere from two to three weeks, but you never know with these injuries. The thing for sure is that he wasn't going to be able to play this week," Arena said. "I'll be honest with you, we'd like nothing more for him to play for Mexico. It's an unfortunate and that's part of it but if he didn't get the rest and medical care that he needs in the next couple of weeks, it could have been a long-term injury."
Given the timeline, Dos Santos could miss the remainder of the regular season or potentially be back in time for the Galaxy's Oct. 18 match against the Portland Timbers.
With the playoffs looming, is Arena simply focused on getting Dos Santos back for the playoffs?
Well, not exactly.
"We will take it a week at a time," he said. "I'm not worrying about it today."
