Wales captain Gareth Bale missed Los Angeles FC’s crucial playoff win with injury to ignite fresh concerns over his fitness ahead of the World Cup.
The 33-year-old has been used intermittently by the MLS side since moving to the United States last summer, and his game-time has notably declined in recent months. He has started just two league games - scoring as many goals - for LAFC and is yet to complete a full 90 minutes.
Many speculated the club were resting Bale in order to keep him fresh for the all-important upcoming playoff ties, including the clash against their city rivals Galaxy on Thursday. However, reports suggested the Welshman was an injury doubt in the hours leading up to the match.
He was later totally omitted from manager Steve Cherundolo's squad for the LA derby - which is dubbed ‘El Trafico’ - due to a leg injury. LAFC won in dramatic fashion, beating Galaxy 3-2 thanks to a 93rd-minute goal from Cristian Arango.
The victory means LAFC progress through to the Western Conference final against either Austin FC or FC Dallas, who play the other semi-final Sunday night. Cherundolo was more positive when discussing Bale’s injury, revealing the winger is in line to play in the conference championship game.
“No more injury to report, he should be back in training very soon, in the next couple of days,” the LAFC boss said.
Bale has made one five-minute appearance for LAFC since playing 90 minutes for Wales against Poland last month in the UEFA Nations League. He has made 12 appearances in MLS since his LA debut against Nashville in July, with only a pair of starts to his name.
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Bale made just seven appearances for Real Madrid in his final season, having become a peripheral figure with the La Liga club. The five-time Champions League winner joined LAFC in June following nine years in Spain.
He scored two brilliant goals in a virtuoso performance in March's play-off semi-final win over Austria. The all-time leading scorer for Wales added the only goal in June as his country beat Ukraine 1-0 to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1958.
The MLS play-off final is on Saturday 5 November - just 16 days before Wales opening game at Qatar 2022. Wales kick off their World Cup campaign against USA on Monday 21 November.
