TORONTO – Spare a thought for Nick Hagglund.
After enjoying somewhat of a breakout 2016 campaign in which he played a key role in Toronto FC’s run to the MLS Cup, Hagglund picked up where he left off at the beginning of this season. The young defender firmly established himself as a regular fixture in coach Greg Vanney’s lineup, as he started 11 of the first 12 games of the year, all the while preventing off-season signing Chris Mavinga from cracking the starting 11.
Then it came all undone for the 24-year-old defender from Cincinnati when he sustained a torn MCL in his left knee in a contest against the Columbus Crew on May 13. Hagglund ended up being sidelined for close to two months, missing eight consecutive league games, before returning to action on July 22 when he started against New York City FC. He also came on as a substitute for the final 26 minutes the following game against the Colorado Rapids.
It looked like Hagglund was back on track, but then more bad luck came this past weekend when he started in TFC’s 4-1 home win over the Portland Timbers. Hagglund was subbed out with an injury in the 18th minute after attempting to make a tackle on Timbers forward Darren Mattocks.
Vanney told reporters after the game he was hopeful that the injury wasn’t too serious. It turns out it is, as the club confirmed on Monday afternoon that Hagglund has been diagnosed with a left MCL sprain. He is expected to be out of the lineup for six to eight weeks.
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Assuming he’s sidelined for the full two months, Hagglund would likely miss all 10 of the Reds’ remaining regular-season matches, which means he’d face an uphill battle to get playing time once the playoffs start.
How big of a loss is this for Toronto? Hagglund’s prolonged absence hurts the Reds, but it’s not a killer blow. The team has more than enough defensive depth that it can ride out this latest injury crisis.
During Hagglund’s recent injury layoff, Mavinga slotted seamlessly into TFC’s back line, and has been one of the Reds’ most consistent players over the last two months.
Mavinga forged a strong relationship with fellow defenders Drew Moor and Eriq Zavaleta, and the defence hardly missed a beat with the Frenchman filling in for Hagglund.
What’s more, TFC can still call upon veteran defender Jason Hernandez, who subbed in during the Portland game and effectively deputized for Hagglund. Also, Steven Beitashour is expected to return to action soon after being out injured since late June, further softening the blow of Hagglund’s absence.
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