The numbers at LAFC preseason training have shrunk a bit this week. Some of it by design and some by necessity.
Following Wednesday's training session, Bob Bradley announced Adama Diomande would be out after sustaining a fracture to the fourth metatarsal in his right foot.
"We'll miss him at the beginning of the season but we're confident this is an injury that will heal in a strong way," Bradley said of Diomande's injury. "He'll be back and ready to contribute."
With Diomande out and Mark-Anthony Kaye working back to full fitness, the numbers at training also took a hit with the departure of three players. Paulo Pita, Jorge Gonzalez, and Younes Boudadi have all been released from LAFC preseason training. All three players were 2020 MLS SuperDraft picks.
"We continue to push through preseason. We've had really good trainings and we look forward to each match. I think we can push some of the guys that have been here since Day 1 up minute-wise," Bradley said of the smaller group in training. "That's certainly part of the plan with Dallas and Toronto. And then we just keep trying to day after day to make sure our ideas and our way of doing things just grow.
"We feel good about the way it's gone. And we just keep working."
LAFC plays its third match of the preseason on Thursday against FC Dallas. The match at Banc of California Stadium is closed to the public.