CELTA VIGO NEWS

Who is Luca de la Torre? Inside the USMNT World Cup roster

The skilled playmaker will bring some creativity to the USMNT's midfield, Doug McIntyre writes.

NOVEMBER 21, 2022

Luca De la Torre - On bench Monday De la Torre (hamstring) was named to the match-day squad versus Wales on Monday.

Impact With just 12 international caps, de la Torre was going to be hard-pressed to break into the starting XI to begin with. If the midfielder does get onto the pitch during the World Cup, it will almost certainly be in a substitute appearance.

NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Luca de la Torre - Still working on recovery De la Torre (hamstring) is still working his way back from injury, according to manager Gregg Berhalter via Steven Goff of The Washington Post.

Impact De la Torre is unlikely to be initially available when the tournament opens Nov. 21 against Wales. When fully fit, he will add further depth in midfield behind Weston McKennie and Kellyn Acosta.

NOVEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Luca de la Torre - Travels to Qatar De la Torre (hamstring) travelled to Qatar for the USMNT training camp before the World Cup.

Impact De la Torre continues to make his way back from a hamstring injury. The midfielder isn't likely to be a major factor in the starting XI for the United States even if fully fit, but will be hoping to return to the first team in some capacity before the World Cup opener against Wales.

NOVEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sevilla, Celta among top-tier teams advancing in Copa

Struggling Sevilla goes into the World Cup break on a positive note after beating sixth-tier Velarde 2-0 to advance to the second round of the Copa del Rey

NOVEMBER 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Iago Aspas - Two shots off bench Aspas had two shots (one on goal) and one chance created in Thursday's 0-0 tie against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Aspas did not start the match, however made an appearance off the bench after coming back from an undisclosed injury. Celta did not want to risk injuring him further with the winter break coming up. The Spaniard leads the team with seven goals, and he also has two assists on 28 shots (15 on target) thus far.

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Franco Cervi - Launches four crosses Cervi logged in four crosses (one accurate), three corners and two interceptions in Thursday's 0-0 tie to Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Cervi was the work horse for Celta in the game but could not help the team get a goal in the net on Thursday. He is a diligent left winger with his tackling abilities and potential to send the ball to the attack. The Argentinian does not score often, but he is an important part of the team's starting lineup with an average of 3.3 crosses and 2.7 tackles a match.

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joseph Aidoo - Seven clearances against Rayo Aidoo had two tackles (one won) and seven clearances in Thursday's 0-0 tie versus Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Aidoo led Celta to a clean sheet with his upstanding performance in the back on Thursday. His consistency this season has led him to be pivotal player for the team. In the last five matches, the 27-year-old has totaled 17 clearances. This ups his average per contest to 3.1.

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Agustin Marchesin - Clean sheet in draw Marchesin had three saves and two clearances in Thursday's 0-0 tie against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Marchesin put up a fair fight and managed to hold off Rayo to no goals on Thursday. He does not make too many saves with just 2.3 a match and 33 on the year. The Argentinian tends to struggle with letting in goals with 26 so far, which is the second most in the league.

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Iago Aspas - On bench Thursday Aspas (undisclosed) was included in the match-day squad to face Rayo Vallecano on Thursday.

Impact Aspas would be making just his second substitute appearance of the season if he gets onto the pitch Thursday. The forward has featured in 12 of his 13 appearances for the club in which he has generated seven goals on 26 shots (14 on target), two assists and 18 crosses (three accurate). Once back to 100 percent, Aspas should reclaim his spot in the starting XI.

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jorgen Strand Larsen - Out with illness Larsen is not in Celta's match day squad for Thursday's clash against Rayo Vallecano due to gastroenteritis.

Impact Larsen has started nine consecutive La Liga matches since joining Celta this summer, but he will not be available for the final one before the World Cup break on Thursday due to an illness. Goncalo Paciencia, Carles Perez and Franco Cervi are starting in a front-three against Rayo in his absence.

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Augusto Solari - Absent against Rayo Solari (ankle) isn't available for Thursday's trip to Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Solari will miss a sixth straight game, the last five of which have come due to injury. He started twice in six appearances before the injury and will remain a rotational piece when he returns.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Iago Aspas - Doubt to play Aspas trained on his own during Wednesday's session and will be a doubt for Thursday's match against Rayo Vallecano, according to manager Carlos Carvalhal via Oscar Mendez of Relev...

Impact Aspas would be a major absence both as club captain and as a reliable source of goals for Celta, as he's scored seven times in 13 matches. Were he to be unable to start, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Goncalo Paciencia seem likely to start together at forward for the last league match before the World Cup.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gabriel Veiga - Completes suspension Veiga completed his one-match suspension during Saturday's 2-1 loss to Osasuna, making him available for Thursday's match at Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Veiga scored before his dismissal in the Oct. 29 loss to Almeria and will hope to finish out 2022 with another good performance. He's scored three goals and logged one assist in 12 appearances, making him one of the best young players in La Liga getting their first chances this season.

NOVEMBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Agustin Marchesin - Concedes two in loss Marchesin conceded two goals and made two saves during Saturday's 2-1 loss to Osasuna.

Impact Marchesin made some impressive plays in the final weeks of the first half of the season but conceded 10 goals in the final four games. Unless he and his teammates can stabilize the defense in 2023, life could continue to be busy in goal for Marchesin.

NOVEMBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar Mingueza - Makes three tackles in loss Mingueza made three tackles (two won) and logged two inaccurate crosses during Saturday's 2-1 loss to Osasuna.

Impact Mingueza didn't have a great start to life at Celta but he's shown signs of improvement with three starts in his last four appearances, logging eight crosses and making nine tackles in that time. While still not a perfect defender, Mingueza could see his production grow more consistent if he keeps up his minutes in 2023.

NOVEMBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Javi Galan - Logs three crosses in loss Galan logged three crosses (zero accurate) and won one-of-two tackles during Saturday's 2-1 loss to Osasuna.

Impact Galan hasn't had a tremendous first half of the season but he's remained consistent with the fourth-most tackles made and 17 chances created. As he'll remain a talented player, Galan could be worth more attention if new manager Carlos Carvalhal picks up the confidence at Celta in 2023.

NOVEMBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Franco Cervi - Logs assist in loss Cervi logged one assist from two chances created on six crosses (one accurate) during Saturday's 2-1 loss to Osasuna.

Impact Cervi put up one of his best offensive games of the season but also has been busy defensively, making 11 tackles in his last three appearances. In 12 appearances, Cervi finishes the first half of the 2022/23 campaign with two assists on 40 crosses, which aren't bad numbers but could be far better with Iago Aspas regularly scoring goals as he did Saturday.

NOVEMBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Iago Aspas - Scores in loss Aspas scored one goal from three shots (two on goal) and created four chances during Saturday's 2-1 loss to Osasuna.

Impact Aspas ends the first half of the season with seven goals and two assists in 13 games, joint-second among Spanish forwards ahead of the World Cup. Though he's routinely one of the better strikers in La Liga, he's seldom had much of a chance to play for his national team under manager Luis Enrique. Whether he makes it to Qatar or not, he should have little issue getting to another season with at least 14 goals scored.

NOVEMBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Carles Perez - Logs in assists Carles Perez assisted to go with two clearances created in Saturday's 3-1 loss against Almeria.

Impact Perez got his second assist of the season with a pass to Gabriel Veiga to give Celta Vigo an early lead. This was his first start in four matches, but only played just one half of the contest. In 12 appearances thus far the Spaniard has totaled two assists, 10 tackles (five won) and five chances created.

OCTOBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Agustin Marchesin - Lets in three goals Marchesin made two saves and allowed three goals and a clearance in Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Almeria.

Impact Marchesin struggled to make saves in the match by allowing multiple goals to Almeria on Saturday. He has now conceded 11 goals with 13 saves in the last five matches. The Argentinian goalkeeper does not get much help from his defense to help stop goals, but he has came in clutch situations with two penalty saves on the season. He looks to get out of this rocky run of games with a visit from Osasuna on Nov 5, who have scored seven goals in the last eight matches.

OCTOBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gabriel Veiga - Nets goal, gets sent off Veiga scored to go on one shot (one on target) but was showed a red card in Saturday's 3-1 loss versus Almeria.

Impact Minutes after Veigo gave Celta Vigo the lead, he was shown a straight red that saw his day end early. He will miss the next match against Osasuna on Nov 5. The young 20-year-old has been on a decent run of games of late with two goals on nine shots (six on target), seven crosses (two accurate) and eight tackles (three won) in the last six matches. Fran Beltran will most likely move up to the center midfield position with Renato Tapia probably getting the start as center-defensive midfield in Veigo's absence.

OCTOBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

US midfielder De la Torre out for 3 weeks before World Cup

Spanish club Celta Vigo says American midfielder Luca de la Torre has sustained a leg injury that will sideline him for three weeks, with the World Cup less than a month away

OCTOBER 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Luca de la Torre - Out three weeks with injury De la Torre is expected to miss around three weeks with a hamstring tear he suffered during Thursday's training session, Celta Vigo announced Friday.

Impact De la Torre will miss Celta's next three games against Almeria, Osasuna and Rayo Vallecano while he recovers from this injury, but his absence won't affect the club's starting lineup as he's made just five appearances off the bench this season. This could impact his World Cup form for the United States however, as he's expected to recover just before the tournament starts and he may not be fully fit by the opening game against Wales on Nov. 21.

OCTOBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Luca de la Torre - Picks up injury in training De la Torre suffered a left hamstring injury during Thursday's training session ahead of Saturday's trip to Almeria.

Impact De la Torre has made five appearances off the bench since joining Celta so his absence won't be too impactful, though it does add further worry for a team that's winless in four straight games. It will be more worrisome if this injury lingers ahead of the World Cup, at which De la Torre has a small chance to play for the United States.

OCTOBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE