FC Cincinnati took a blow to their MLS title hopes with the team announcing Friday that defender Nick Hagglund is out for the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury.

Hagglund sustained the injury in training before the team’s 3-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Sunday in the opener of a best-of-three first-round playoff series, coach Pat Noonan told reporters.

Hagglund, 31, is a Cincinnati native who has been with the club since its inaugural season in 2019.

“Absolutely gutted to not play a part in our Cup run…I can’t begin to explain the emotions that ran through my head as I felt my hammy go out at training,” Hagglund wrote on Instagram. “If there is one thing I have learned from being a professional soccer player it is: The journey is most certainly never linear. The road to recovery starts now. Already itching to wear the badge again for you all.”

Hagglund appeared in 27 matches (25 starts) this season while scoring one goal for the Supporters’ Shield winners.

Cincinnati will attempt to clinch a spot in the conference semifinals in the second match against the Red Bulls on Saturday in Harrison, N.J.

–Field Level Media