MLS Stars' 7 Most Bizarre Injuries

Rogers survived the linesman's attack

We all love when daft things happen to soccer's biggest stars and this week it was Robbie Rogers turn to be left red faced.

The LA Galaxy left back is used to battling with wingers, but he got more than he bargained for when he was nearly blinded by the linesman against New York Red Bulls on Sunday.

Attempting to signal a Red Bulls throw in, the linesman sent Rogers tumbling to the floor after striking him in the face with his flag.

Luckily Rogers avoided serious injury. However, some of his MLS colleagues were not so lucky as we look back at MLS stars’ seven most bizarre injuries...

Beckham won the MLS Cup with LA

1) David Beckham

Beckham might have the best right foot in English history but that did not save him from the wrath of then Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson following an FA Cup loss to Arsenal.

Goldenballs was left with a gash above his eye after the Scot kicked a boot at the former England captain during the most infamous dressing room bust up in British football history.

2) Patrick Ianni

Former MLS Cup winner Ianni might be best remembered for scoring MLS’ Goal of the Year in 2012, but the retired defender makes this list with an injury sustained in pre-season 2013.

After landing awkwardly in a simple jump test, an MRI scan revealed the American had broken a bone in his foot – the injury kept Pianni out for six weeks.

Keller in his Seattle days

3) Kasey Keller

US soccer’s latest hall of fame initiate needed an emergency trip to the dentist after knocking out his front teeth while trying to take his golf clubs out of his car.

We are not sure how he managed it either but fortunately for Keller his hands were steadier on the football pitch as he notched over 100 appearances for the USA.

4) Darren Mattocks

The second overall pick in the 2012 SuperDraft missed six weeks of his rookie season after suffering severe burns to his arm and shoulder while cooking a Jamaican chicken dish.

After oil splashed up his arm, Mattocks spent a week in hospital, and missed eight games for Vancouver due to the accident – perhaps he will hire a chef in future...

Nesta won the World Cup in 2006

5) Alessandro Nesta

The World Cup winning Italian spent 18 months with Montreal Impact as he neared the end of a fiercely competitive career, spent on large with Lazio and AC Milan.

However, his competitive nature didn’t stop on the pitch – Nesta once missed a month of action for AC and required surgery after tearing tendons in his left hand while playing FIFA.

6) Nigel Reo-Coker

Whitecaps’ were hit by another freak injury in 2013 when former West Ham and Aston Villa star Nigel Reo-Coker tripped over a bike rack.

Reo-Coker suffered concussion as well as injuries to his head and face and missed the game against Houston Dynamo after what was described by MLS’ website as an ‘off-field walking accident.’

Le Toux doesn't like ads

7) Sebastien Le Toux

Rogers wasn’t the first bizarre injury of the season as Philadelphia Union’s Le Toux had to be substituted in their 2-1 victory over New York City after colliding with an advertising board.

The frenchman’s arm was bleeding heavily and required five stitches following the second-half collision with the advertising board, which in Le Toux’s own words, ‘really hurt’.

And finally...

Norwegian defender Svein Grondalen had to withdraw from a World Cup Qualifier during the 1970’s after a freak collision with a moose while out jogging.

He never played in the United States, but we couldn’t leave him out.

Images courtesy of Victor Decolongon, Joscarfas, t i g ,abdallahh and Nick Klein, with thanks.