By: Claire Zhou

LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau’s right leg shattered during last season’s MLS Cup final. Three days after the incident, the Canadian national team left for their first World Cup in 36 years without him. That happened nine months ago. Crepeau hasn’t been able to play since.

Now, Crepeau has started practicing again. However, he is still unable to join the full team training, and has no idea when he will.

“We don’t want to do anything that would put pressure on this,” said Marc Dos Santos, the LAFC assistant coach, “Right now, it’s really a week-to-week thing. Max is going to come back at the right moment, at the right time.”

When LAFC won MVP honors and its first league title, Crepeau celebrated with his teammates through Facetime on his phone.

Crepeaue wasn’t allowed to play or travel, but on the bright side, not traveling allowed him to spend more quality time with his family.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Crepeau said, after a training session at LAFC’s practice facility. “I really play with my heart on the field. I don’t regret anything.”