Canadian star Davies to miss El Salvador game due to injury

EL SALVADOR VS. CANADA, 4:30 P.M.

TORONTO — Canada will be without Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies for today’s World Cup qualifying match against El Salvador.

Canada Soccer said Tuesday evening that the 20-year-old fullback/winger was injured and flying back to Germany “to continue his recovery.”

Davies looked pained when he left Sunday’s 1-1 tie with the U.S. in the 75th minute and was immediately greeted by trainers when he got to the bench. He seemed to be favouring a leg and was absent from the Canada training session earlier Tuesday.

His assist on Cyle Larin’s tying goal in the 62nd minute of the game in Nashville was his record-breaking sixth in 2021. He had shared the previous Canadian men’s record with Martin Nash (2000).

Davies was also hurt with Canada in July, suffering a torn ligament in his ankle in training prior to the Gold Cup. At the time, Herdman said Davies turned his ankle after riding a tackle in a small-sided game.

Davies returned to full practice with Bayern on Aug. 9 and started in the season opener Aug. 13 against Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Today’s game is the third in a week for both Canada and El Salvador, ranked 59th and 64th respectively. Both sides have two ties to date. Herdman says depth in his roster is key with such a compressed schedule.

“These boys are dialed in,” he said. “The squad is focused and every man’s ready to play their part. That’s a great place to be.”

Canada opened the so-called Octagonal, the final round of qualifying in CONCACAF, by drawing No. 63 Honduras 1-1 at BMO Field before tying the 10thranked Americans. El Salvador played scoreless draws at home to the U.S. and Honduras.

Tajon Buchanan, who started against Honduras and came off the bench against the U.S., could step in for Davies.

With home points at a premium, the Canadian men will be looking to make the most of the home date before returning to their clubs. Canada’s 14-game Octagonal schedule continues next month with away games at No. 9 Mexico and No. 50 Jamaica before an Oct. 13 home date against No. 74 Panama at BMO Field.