MLS Injury Report Roundup: Cristian Espinoza out after nightmare challenge | OneFootball

After an angry and injured Cristian Espinoza was forced out of Tuesday's U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal with a nasty gash on his right knee, the San Jose Earthquakes talisman won't be recovered in time to face Minnesota United on Saturday night.

Espinoza is officially listed as out on the MLS Player Status Report for Matchday 24 following the studs-exposed challenge from Austin FC's Mikel Desler, one that Espinoza and the rest of the Quakes contingent clearly believed should've induced a red card from referee Brandon Stevis.

Espinoza required 10 stitches for the injury, according to Kasey Kazliner of Quakes Epicenter.

The injury leaves San Jose without one of the league's most influential providers heading into an important clash in the upper reaches of the MLS Western Conference table.

Espinoza entered the weekend second in MLS with 11 assists behind only San Diego FC's Anders Dreyer, and he leads the league with 70 key passes. The absence may cut double for Quakes manager Bruce Arena because Espinoza was used off the bench in Tuesday's match, clearly with an eye for keeping the Argentine fresh for the weekend.

Espinoza wasn't the only big injury casualty of the clash. Austin's Brandon Vazquez suffered a torn ACL that will rule him out for the remainder of the season, in news that the Verde cofirmed on Thursday.

Yeimar, Kim Kee-hee nearing Seattle Sounders return

The Seattle Sounders have waged significant battles with injuries all season, but they appear to be getting closer to having two crucial defenders back in their ranks for the Leagues Cup and the MLS stretch run.

Center backs Yeimar Gomez Andrade (hamstring) and Kim Kee-hee (calf) have both been upgraded to questionable ahead of the Sounders' trip to face Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night.

Yeimar's last MLS appearance came on May 24, while Kim hasn't played since May 28. In their absence, the Sounders allowed multiple goals in five consecutive matches in all competitions, including their three FIFA Club World Cup matches, before finally getting back to better defensive form in their last two MLS games.

Liike most teams, the Sounders will play three matches over the next week-and-a-half, which could cause manager Brian Schmetzer to use some caution in terms of how he re-integrates the two center backs.