Galaxy forward Joao Klauss, who was subbed off late in Saturday’s game against FC Dallas, will undergo left foot surgery and be sidelined until after the World Cup break, coach Greg Vanney said Wednesday.
Klauss, who joined the Galaxy this season, came off in the 54th minute after taking a stomp to his foot. He went down and, as the training staff came on to check on it, was emotional as he got up and was helped off the field.
Klauss is the leading scorer for the Galaxy (2-4-3), who are in 11th place out of 15 teams in the Western Conference, with five goals in MLS play.
Vanney said that there aren’t any broken bones in the foot, but the surgery will be to repair ligaments.
“It’s a ligament in the foot. It is something that they (the doctors) feel the surgery will speed up the recovery and if they don’t do the surgery, the recovery will probably be a little bit longer,” Vanney said Wednesday.
“It changes us considerably, in terms of having a guy you can play into, with size, who can hold up the ball, having a 9 who can lead the press and is defensively aware … it changes the role of Marco (Reus), if I use Joe (Joseph Paintsil) at the 9, it changes the his role. We’re going to have to adapt to the situation and get it done.”
Klauss’ absence leaves the Galaxy currently with no healthy target forwards. Matheus Nascimento has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The Galaxy’s last game before the World Cup break is May 23 and their first game back is July 17.