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Gomez released from USMNT camp due to knee injury, Jones officially ruled out

Herculez Gomez

By FRANCO PANIZO

SEATTLE – Herculez Gomez came into the U.S. Men’s National Team camp with a knee injury that threatened his availability and now he is leaving with it.

A U.S. Soccer spokesman announced during the U.S. team’s press conference on Monday that head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has released Gomez from the squad to allow the forward to further rehabilitate his knee. Gomez will head to Athlete’s Performance in Los Angeles to continue his recovery from the right knee contusion he suffered while in season with Mexican club Santos Laguna, much in the same way midfielder Brek Shea was sent to one in Dallas to heal an ailing calf.

The 31-year-old forward had been doing fitness and individual work with the U.S. team over the past couple of weeks, but his knee never made enough progress to the point where he could play. He had already been ruled for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier vs. Panama, but now will also apparently miss next week’s clash with Honduras at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

Gomez, who has been a fixture for Klinsmann in recent months, did not dress in any of the Americans’ last three matches.

Klinsmann also confirmed on Monday that midfielder Jermaine Jones would not play in match with Panama at CenturyLink Field due to the concussion he suffered in the second half of last Friday’s 2-1 road win vs. Jamaica. Klinsmann, however, said that Jones would be ready to go against Honduras next Tuesday.

“Jermaine is fine. He’s doing great,” said Klinsmann. “We, obviously, take things seriously, we don’t want to do anything risky even if he’s ready to go today. We’re just (taking precautions), we keep him out of tomorrow night’s game and he will definitely be back for the game in Salt Lake City.”

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What do you think of Gomez being released from USMNT roster? Sad to know he will not play for the U.S. in either of the upcoming two qualifiers? How big of a loss will Jones be vs. Panama?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Donovan is on the Gold Cup roster, and I believe JK will merge the best of both teams, including LD, for Brazil in 2014

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  2. Luckily, I have a visitor at my place, who’s name is “Voice of Reason” Here’s what he has to say about the USMNT roster situation:

    VOR: “The June 2013 version of Landon Donovan would be the best option to replace the suspended Zusi. This statement is based on Donovan’s current form for the Galaxy and his vast experience playing for the national team. All other considerations, such as Donovan’s extended break from the game and/or the coach’s distaste for that decision, or his form in previous years is irrelevant. If he is the best player to fill the role than he should play. Midfield replacements for Jones seem plentiful on his current roster, the coach has done a good job in this area and will not have trouble in making a good selection.”

    Wow, thanks Voice of Reason! Too bad a certain coach isn’t fully listening to you!

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    • VOR needs an better editor, though. No period? “Than” instead of “then”? Good thing he’s not known as “Scribe of Reason”.

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      • Certainly not copy-editor of reason. Reason has a hard enough time being taken seriously as it is; making it functionally illiterate surely can’t help.

  3. If someone can serve up crosses for Jozy we should be fine. I think Boyd could see some time in the next few games which could be great to finally see him score.

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    • For all you bums all over Landy Cake’s jock strap need to get a girlfriend. Homie is beefed and would rather go backpacking through Europe then play ball for the Red, White, and Blue. Shoot, he couldn’t even stay on a team over there, so he wants to back on a sight seeing tour. Toss in EJ at the right and watch him dominate these lil panamanian chumps.

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  4. I think that the real reason for sending Hercules off was his ‘stach. If it ain’t Movember, that is just plain wrong.

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    • Hahaha +1
      Maybe if Freddy could grow an epic mustache, not only would he be in camp, but he would be able to score more goals.

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  5. We got guys who can step up for Gomez on the field. I’m worried, however, that we have no one ready to step up in the ‘stache department.

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      • How can anyone say Donovan is not ready?. He is at the top of his game and as fit as any other player. He could step in seamlessly and make an immediate positive impact. JK must get off his high horse, put aside his personal feelings, and bring Donovan back for the good of the team.

    • He deserved that slap. And based on his recent cup form, he’s lucky not to get any more. Meditating in Cambodia wasn’t the answer…

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      • I don’t agree with your assessment. He hasn’t been great, but he hasn’t been horrible by any means. I’d trust him in a second to at least be on this roster and give him a chance off the bench if we end up needing him.

      • I agree with the original comment frankly. How are all these injured players better callups than Landon Donovan?

      • They’re not. bringing in four players rehabbing injuries vs. a much needed flank player dishing out assists and scoring goals. And as someone else stated, Zusi was one yellow away from sitting out a game. The only guys that don’t get this are those that take every opportunity to diss LD…

      • Short answer — None of the callups are a better choice than Donovan. JK does not like him and he is putting his personal animosity ahead of the good of the team.

  6. yes, we could add for the next game.

    Anybody else wondering about all the injuries? Isn’t JK’s fitness and wellness programs supposed to be his pride and joy? I know injury bugs happen. just got me thinking.

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  7. Bummer about Gomez. Even more reason that EJ will not start on the wing. We will need him fresh to give Jozy a blow in the 70th minute.

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    • I’m confident Jozy is fully capable of going 90. He likely wouldn’t be starting if he wasn’t. If not, we have Boyd who can sub there or could move EJ from the wings to striker. Its not a legit reasoning for leaving EJ out of the starting lineup if you believe he is the best player to start.

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    • They had to be included in the original roster. I think we still have a few leftover we can include. Not sure who though. Beckerman maybe?

      Reply

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