Reports: Gastón González Seriously Injured in Final Argentine Match

Expected Orlando City signing Gaston Gonzalez, who currently plays for CA Union in Argentina, reportedly suffered a serious knee injury in his final game for the Argentine club. Early reports indicate that it could be an ACL tear.

The injury now puts the potential $3.2 million transfer in jeopardy, and the immediate future of a promising prospect in limbo. There are going to be talks between both clubs and Gonzalez's agent to discuss the future of the deal, and with a serious injury, the deal could potentially be called off.

It's a heartbreaking development for Gonzalez, who dazzled in the Argentine first division last year, scoring five goals and assisting seven in under 1500 minutes last season. While this season hadn't gone quite as well, with just one goal in ten games, the 20-year-old winger looked poised for a big career opportunity in MLS.

The injury is also devastating for Orlando City, who could desparetly use a player of Gonzalez's skill set. His pace and verticality on the wing would provide a good compliment to the creativity of Facundo Torres on the opposite flank. Orlando also just needs genuine production from the wings, something Gonzalez was expected to provide.

This move, regardless of whether it still goes through, could serve as a cautionary tale moving forward. Orlando City reportedly agreed to the deal at the beginning of the transfer window, but allowed Union to keep Gonzalez until May. That deal now jeopardizes the young Argentine ever even putting on the purple shirt.

There's risk involved with every transfer. Even if Gonzalez arrived in January, who's to say he wouldn't have torn his ACL in a training session or preseason friendly. There are inherent risks in sports, and serious injuries are an unfortunate reality of the profession, especially in the modern game.

We'll see where the transfer goes from here, but all I hope is that Gaston Gonzalez recovers quickly, and becomes the star he can be, wherever that may be.