Already without Carlos Vela, LAFC will now have to move forward without the services of another key attacker.
LAFC head coach Bob Bradley told reporters on a Tuesday conference call that forward Adama Diomande has left the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando to return to Los Angeles to get further evaluated on his injured right foot. Diomande subbed off in the 76th minute of LAFC's 3-3 draw against the Houston Dynamo on July 13 with the injury and didn't play in their 6-2 El Trafico blowout of the LA Galaxy on Saturday.
"Dio came off in the first game, we were concerned with his right foot again," Bradley said. "There were some scans, we felt that he still needed to get further imaging, and so he has left the bubble, headed back to Los Angeles where he can get the scans and where we can get a better idea of what is continuing to bother him with his right foot."
It leaves the reigning Supporters' Shield winners without another key sources of goals from last season's record-shattering campaign, as Diomande put up eight goals and seven assists in 1,436 minutes in 2019. Vela withdrew from the tournament before it began so he could remain with his pregnant wife.
Diomande's absence didn't stop LAFC from putting up a six-spot on the Galaxy, with forward Diego Rossi going off for four goals, so Bradley and co. will hope that holds true going forward. Bradley Wright-Phillips figures to get even more playing time up top and has scored in each of the first two matches of the tournament.
LAFC continue their tournament in run in Group F play against the Portland Timbers on Thursday (10:30 pm ET | ESPN2, ESPN Deportes in US; TSN in Canada).
