LOS ANGELES, California — The Reggae Boyz suffered another body blow yesterday when it was revealed that left wing back Kemar Lawrence has been ruled out of the remainder of the Copa America Centenario with an injured groin.

Lawrence, the New York Red Bull player, was substituted in the 40th minute by Wes Morgan after reaggravating the groin injury in a challenge during the Reggae Boyz’s opening Group C match against Venezuela at Soldier Field in Chicago.

He was taken for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan after the game which revealed the serious nature of the injury.

According to the report, the player suffered what is known as Osteitis pubis, which is an inflammation of the insertion of the hamstrings on the pelvis, which weakens the area.

The Jamaica Observer also understands that the player joined the camp with the injury, and has since suffered damage to the groin, which is not unusual, as he has been playing with pain in the area which predisposed him to the strain.

It takes between four and six weeks for treatment and recovery.

Lawrence’s absence adds to the red card ejection of Rodolph Austin in Sunday’s game, reducing the 23-man squad to 21 for Thursday’s crucial challenge against group leaders Mexico, who slammed Uruguay 3-1 in their encounter at University of Phoenix in Glendale, Arizona, also on Sunday.

The Mexicans are riding on the 20-game unbeaten run, the longest active streak in football.

Meanwhile, the Boyz arrived in Los Angeles yesterday afternoon after a near four-hour flight on their chartered Delta airliner from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California.

Deplaning directly from the aircraft to five waiting vehicles, including a luggage truck, just a few metres away, the contingent, with special security in tow, was whisked away to its LA hotel, Downtown.

A training session was slated for 6:00 pm (8:00 pm Jamaica time) at the Stubhub Field 3, where head coach Winfried Schaefer was expected to begin hatching a plan he hopes will propel his team over the Mexicans at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Stadium at 7:00 pm (9:00 pm Jamaica time) Thursday.