Sebastian Blanco could play today against Real Salt Lake says Gio Savarese

Portland Timbers star Sebastian Blanco, who was injured during the match against Colorado Rapids, could get minutes in today's game against Real Salt Lake, according to head coach Gio Savarese.

“Seba is a player, a very competitive person. And he is making leaps and miracles to try to get to this game and to be able to suddenly get some minutes”, said the Timbers coach.

In his press conference on Thursday, Savarese said: "When we thought a few days ago that it was impossible, today we say that there is a small hope that it could happen. And this is extremely important”. 

Sebastian Blanco's injury

It was during their match against the Colorado Rapids that Sebastian Blanco suffered a muscle injury that prevented him from playing the second half of the game. 

In the match played on Thanksgiving Day, Gio Savarese also lost colombian Dairon Asprilla, who was sent off at the end of the match. 

“Of course, it's a bit unfortunate that Seba had to leave the game. We have to see how he feels. About Asprilla's red card, I have to see it again. I don't really know what happened there. We are a team, and we will stand as a team. And yes, we will lose them (for the next game), but everybody will have to fight, and now we will enjoy this, because I think this was a very good performance and we have to enjoy it. And right now, let's get ready for the next game”, said Savarese.

How important is Sebastian Blanco to the Portland Timbers? 

The striker has been perhaps the most important piece of the team this season and his numbers speak for him. 

The player has 9 goals, 22 shots on goal and more than 1,462 minutes played with his team. 

Not only is he the heart of the attack, he also drives his team to give their all on the field in every game. That's why his loss is the most sensitive for the team. Sebastian Blanco has also played a key role in propelling the Timblers to the semi-finals.

This is not Sebastian Blanco's first serious injury

Of course everyone remembers when in 2020, Sebastian Blanco suffered a terrible injury, the most serious of his career so far. 

On that occasion he tore the cruciate ligaments in his right knee. The club informed that he will undergo surgery on the Monday following the match against Seattle Sounders and did not specify a date for his return.

The injury occurred when Blanco, a former player of Lanús of Argentina, tried to take the ball away from Brazilian Joao Paulo Miror, injuring his right knee.

At first everyone thought it was just a sprain, until the terrible truth came out. 

Due to this injury, Sebastian Blanco would not play any more in the tournament. 

But the Argentine crack showed his grit and was able to recover from that terrible injury, so Timbers fans are confident that their star player can bounce back and play this day to win the Western Final against Real Salt Lake, even if only for a few minutes.