Frank Lampard has been ruled out of Sunday's match against Toronto FC at Yankee Stadium due to a calf strain he picked up in training on Friday.
The former Chelsea and Manchester City midfielder, who was to make his long-awaited MLS debut, expressed his displeasure with the setback.
"I'm hugely disappointed to be missing out on Sunday's game, which I have been really looking forward to," he told NYCFC.com. "I've been feeling great in training and have loved working with the squad. Unfortunately I sustained a small strain to my calf during a session.
"Whilst I've been taking it day by day since then and have been involved in light training, I've just been advised by the medical team that it needs a few days' rest for it to heal fully.
"As I say, it's personally very disappointing for me but these things happen in football. The good news is that I should be back in full training next week. While I was desperate to play a role on Sunday, I have to take the advice of our medical team to let it heal and not risk further injury so I can get back on the pitch and play a full role as soon as possible."
Chelsea's all-time leading goalscorer, who played for Manchester City during the 2014-15 Premier League season after leaving the Blues at the end of the previous campaign, could now feature in next Sunday's game against New England Revolution.
Press Association contributed to this report.