It’s not often that an injury can go from just a sprain to something that requires surgery in just about 24 hours. Unfortunately for Sebastian Lletget, that worst came true as the LA Galaxy announced that Lletget has sustained a Lisfranc injury (otherwise known as a Lisfranc fracture) to his left foot.

A Lisfranc fracture is an injury to the foot in which metatarsal bones, one or more, are displaced from the tarsus. The Tarsus is the point at which seven bones from each foot connect together.

According to OrthoInfo, part of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, “A Lisfranc injury is often mistaken for a simple sprain, especially if the injury is a result of a straightforward twist and fall. However, injury to the Lisfranc joint is not a simple sprain that should be simply ‘walked off.’ It is a severe injury that may take many months to heal and may require surgery to treat.”

Lletget was tackled from behind in the 15th minute of the U.S. Men’s National Team game against Honduras on Friday night. He was slow to get up after contact and struggled for another three minutes before being replaced.

He’s scheduled to have surgery next week, once the swelling goes down, and will be missing from the Galaxy’s lineup for anywhere from 4 to 6 months.

Speaking to reporters at training on April 4, 2016, Lletget says he will undergo surgery the following day, on April 5. That is when the clock will start on his lengthy recovery.

Sebastian Lletget out at training today; says he will have surgery on left foot tomorrow #LAGalaxy pic.twitter.com/WJQbvs6MUo — Damian Calhoun (@DamianCalhoun) April 4, 2017

This is just the most recent injury for a team that seems to be racking them up early and often in 2017. Robbie Rogers is still out after ankle surgery has left him with little to no feeling in his foot – there is not timeline for his return. Gyasi Zardes has yet to suit up for the team since breaking his foot in late August of 2016. He then had surgery on his knee during the preseason. And Ashley Cole has been sidelined with an injury that was sustained in a preseason match. Both Zardes and Cole are expected to be available for the Galaxy’s next game against Vancouver, but it’s been a rough start for new Head Coach, Curt Onalfo.

With Jermaine Jones likely to put in some serious minutes in the USMNT’s game down in Panama, the Galaxy may have to get creative with who they slot into center midfield with Lletget injured and Jones likely to need a rest.

Perhaps Giovani dos Santos will drop further back to help create chances in front of a more defensive midfield of Baggio Husidic and João Pedro. And the wing position vacated by Lletget might get filled by Raul Mendiola, or Gyasi Zardes – if Zardes isn’t the up top striker.

There are options for Onalfo, but nothing would be better than having Lletget back on the field.

The Galaxy lost the first two games of the season but rebounded with a road victory over Real Salt Lake on March 18th.

The team will board a flight to Vancouver on Friday for a Saturday match against the Whitecaps at BC Place. The Game can be found live on SpectrumSN and SpectrumDeportes. The Game will kick-off at 7 PM.

UPDATES to the article BELOW

4.4.2017 (12 PM) updated the article to include a tweet from Damien Calhoun on the timing of the surgery.

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