CARSON, Calif. — Chivas USA midfielder Oswaldo Minda dislocated his shoulder in training on Saturday and will be lost for an indefinite amount of time, head coach Robin Fraser told reporters on Monday.
“He had a collision with the ground,” said Fraser, who missed around a month for the LA Galaxy in 1999 with the same injury. “He just fell, landed awkwardly and his shoulder came out.”
Minda, who missed Chivas USA’s last regular-season match due to suspension, played all 90 minutes in the club’s 4-1 US Open Cup loss to Seattle last week. But his return to league play will have to wait. Just how long is the only question.
“It’s really hard to say, it’s kind of individual,” Fraser said.
The Ecuadorean enforcer had a doctor’s visit planned for Monday and Fraser said he would “probably get some more answers within the next 24 hours.”
Minda’s injury means he will likely be out for the club’s next three games at least, including key conference matchups against the LA Galaxy on Saturday and Portland on July 28.
A standout defensive midfielder, Minda has been one of Chivas’ top players this season. Despite having eight yellow cards and having missed two games due to yellow-card accumulation already this year, the has been a force in the midfield and has been a key part of the Goats’ strong defensive record.
Luis Bueno covers Chivas USA for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at buenodad@gmail.com.
