Dočkal leaves Orlando City match early with an ankle injury

Philadelphia Union playmaker Bořek Dočkal was forced to leave tonight’s game in Orlando early because of an injury in the 40th minute.

Dočkal picked up his 14th assist eight minutes earlier when he set up Cory Burke’s equalizer. The assist tied the Czech Republic international for the league lead with New York Red Bulls midfielder Kaku.

Cristian Higuita made a crunching tackle near the middle of field and Dočkal reacted angrily at there being no foul called and then departed for Derrick Jones.

Dočkal had an ankle injury shortly after joining the Union on loan from the Chinese Super League at the start of the season that kept him out of the season opener. He’s missed only one game since, a 4-1 loss to LAFC in Los Angeles the week his second child was born.

The international break couldn’t be coming at a better time for Dočkal. The Union’s next game is September 15 at home against Montreal Impact.

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

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