Alonso Martínez 'tears ACL' on international duty amid playoff run | OneFootball

Reports emerging from multiple outlets in Central America indicate that NYCFC forward Alonso Martínez has suffered a torn ACL while on international duty with Costa Rica, a potentially devastating setback for both club and country.

It is a major blow to NYCFC's playoff hopes. The Pigeons are set to square off with Supporters Shield winners Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference semi-finals next weekend. 

While neither NYCFC nor the Costa Rican football federation have formally confirmed the injury, several regional journalists and local media reports have described the incident as a significant knee injury sustained during training.

Martínez has been one of the club’s brightest attacking players in 2025, scoring 19 goals in the regular season before scoring two in the three-game playoff series with Charlotte.

Martínez will be set to miss the remainder of the MLS Cup Playoffs and a substantial portion of the 2026 season.

Central American media outlets have also noted concerns regarding the field conditions during the training session in which the injury occurred, though specific details remain unclear.

NYCFC and the Costa Rican federation are expected to release formal statements once medical evaluations are finalized. 

With the MLS calendar set to sync with the FIFA international windows come 2027, the MLS Cup Playoffs should soon no longer be interrupted by international breaks. 

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