In terms of individual storylines, nobody for LAFC came into the 2024 season with more questions than defender Eddie Segura. After several very tough years dealing with injuries, setbacks and limited minutes, Segura came into this past season fully fit and ready to return to the form that he maintained from the time he arrived, up until his initial injury in 2021.
Behind the Crest | The Long Road Back
🎥 Following two injuries, Eddie Segura is back in the Black & Gold. Learn about his recovery process. #LAFC | @CarMax
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 10, 2024
Segura finished the 2024 season having logged 1338 minutes in the MLS Regular Season, making 27 appearances with just 12 starts. For reference, that was the fewest amount of starts for the defender, when healthy, since his arrival in 2019. He did manage to finish with his best passing success percentage of his career with 86%, but that was on 880 pass attempts, compared to 2019 when he maintained just under that with nearly 2000 pass attempts.
Where the struggles on the season really showed, were, unfortunately, in defense. Not ideal when one of the better defenders on paper, struggles to reach his usual peak defensively. Segura had 18 clearances and won 35% of his aerial duels (37). Both his lowest tally in the respective categories. Looking beyond the numbers, the biggest issue was how much of a liability he was a lot of times during matches. The injuries obviously have taken a toll and have him just a few steps behind where he used to be, and with a team like LAFC that depends on their defenders tracking back quickly, Segura was often the one teams would attack on the counter.
While this past season wasn’t the best for the Colombian, the fact he was able to get through the entire season is a testament of where he was just a year ago. Not only has he had to deal with the initial ACL injury, but he the setbacks that have followed. At the end of the season the team exercised his option, keeping him in Los Angeles at least through 2025. One great season doesn’t make a superstar, and by the same token, one bad season shouldn’t spell the end of one. Segura is a veteran defender who we know can be one of the best in the league, the biggest question now, is will he ever be back to those levels? It may have been a rough 2024, but Eddie has earned the right for another season to prove to everyone, and himself, that he isn’t to be counted out yet.
Thoughts on the season Segura had? Leave a comment below!