NYCFC's Maxi Moralez out 4-6 weeks after suffering knee injury

Sept. 19

NYCFC head coach Ronny Deila said on Friday that Moralez will be out 4-6 weeks. That timeline means the playmaker will likely miss most of the rest of the regular season.

Sept. 12

New York City FC were dealt a blow midway through the first half of their Week 11 match against FC Cincinnati when influential playmaker Maxi Moralez had to come off with a knee injury.

The midfielder picked up the injury in the 26th minute in a crowded Cincinnati box. He received a knee to the back of his own knee from an opposing defender after which he immediately fell to the ground. He attempted to play through the knock, but he was forced to receive treatment only two minutes later and came off in the 30th minute, with Gary Mackay-Steven replacing him.

After the match head coach Ronny Deila said that Moralez suffered an MCL injury with more details to come soon enough.

“We have to take a scan [Sunday], but it is MCL, inside the ligament,” Deila said. “Hopefully it’s a grade one and not so much, but we have to see [Sunday].”

It marks a new setback for Moralez in a season marred by injuries. He picked up a quad injury earlier this summer and missed time during the MLS is Back Tournament. His minutes were managed when the regular season resumed to avoid aggravating his physical issues.

Moralez is NYCFC's most consistent attacking presence with 15 goals and 36 assists over the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He's made just five starts in 2020 and has one assist to his name this year.