Atlanta United experienced a worst-case scenario during the MLS All-Star game on Wednesday when fullback Greg Garza left after less than three minutes after sustaining a separated right shoulder in a 1-1 tie with Real Madrid at Soldier Field.
Garza will be further evaluated by Atlanta United’s medical team when he returns to Atlanta. He was one of three Atlanta United players along with Miguel Almiron and Michael Parkhurst participating in the All-Star game. Garza was the only one of the trio to start, though Almiron did score a penalty kick in the shootout to keep the All-Stars alive until Marcelo hit the next to give Real Madrid a 4-2 lead in the best-of-five situation.
After his first touch near the sideline, Garza collided with a Real Madrid player. Garza stayed down, and required help from the trainers to get up.
Garza, 25, has started 20 games for the Five Stripes this season. He leads defenders in MLS with 26 chances created. He has one goal and three assists this season.
Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino said last week that he didn’t like the game because he has three players selected in what is a meaningless contest while his team is in a playoff race. Atlanta United is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, four points behind second-place NYCFC and four points ahead of seventh-place Orlando City. The top six teams from each conference will advance to the playoffs.
If Garza can’t play on Sunday at Sporting KC, Mikey Ambrose would likely get the start.
Garza is on loan to Atlanta United from Tijuana in LIGA MX. Garza has overcome debilitating bone spurs in his hips at the age of 23 to resume his playing career.
Martino has already had to deal with two other players suffering injuries away from Atlanta United. Striker Josef Martinez missed 10 games after suffering a thigh injury while playing for the Venezuelan national team and Kenwyne Jones suffered a knee inflammation while playing for the Trinidad and Tobago national team. He has missed the past seven games.
Parkhurst, Atlanta United’s captain, and Almiron, who has eight goals and nine assists in league play, entered the game to start the second half.
Almiron tried to send Nemana Nikolic through on goal in the 51st minute, but the pass was a bit too fast and taken by goalkeeper Ruben Yanez. Almiron tried to find Nikolic again in the 54th minute, but again the pass was too fast.
Parkhurst had a sliding clearance of a cross in the 64th minute to stop a goal-scoring opportunity with Real Madrid already leading 1-0 on a goal by Borja Mayoral in the 59th minute.
Parkhurst did get one wish: he said last week that he hoped to face Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale because he wanted to see “their level.” Both players entered the game in the second half. Bale struck the right post with a left-footed shot from the left side in the 68th minute.
Parkhurst had two more clearances in the 78th minute, and a headed clearance in the 84th minute to break up another attack.
Almiron gave the All-Stars one last chance to tie the game in the 86th minute when he blew past his defender and put a pass into the feet of a forward. The ball went out for a corner kick. The All-Stars scored on the ensuing corner on a goal by Dom Dwyer. Dax McCarty hit the post with a header, and Dwyer put in the rebound.
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