Alan Velasco suffers torn ACL in playoff match against Seattle Sounders

FC Dallas figure Alan Velasco will be out for the rest of the season and most of 2024 after suffering a torn ACL and partially torn LCL in his left knee during the team’s 2-0 defeat against the Seattle Sounders on Monday night's Round One series match. 

The midfielder will soon undergo surgery with a recovery timeline to be provided afterwards, though FC Dallas anticipates Velasco to miss the majority of the 2024 campaign. 

Velasco forced a 18th-minute injury substitution during the match after colliding with Sounders defender Alex Roldan moments prior. The midfielder attempted to plan on, before going down while signaling for a change. 

He then left the field in tears with the help of the medical staff. 

"Unluckily, Alan got injured from a tackle," Estévez said, comparing this incident with the injury suffered by New England Revolution captain Carles Gil.

"Again, two players in two different games are having to come out of the field because of injuries and the referees are not showing yellow cards...they have to adjust these things and evaluate better what are risky plays and what are not risky plays."

The player’s absence stands as a huge blow for Dallas, as the team attempts to equalize the best-of-three playoff series to remain in the postseason race. Velasco managed four goals and four assists this season to propel the Texas team to seventh on the Western Conference table with 46 points. 

Without Velasco, head coach Nico Estevez will have to rely on Liam Fraser.