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Evans doubtful for upcoming USMNT qualifiers after suffering calf injury

Brad Evans

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By IVES GALARCEP

Brad Evans was expected to be the U.S. Men’s National Team’s starting right back for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, but a calf injury suffered in the Seattle Sounders’ 1-0 win vs. the Columbus Crew on Saturday night has put his participation in jeopardy.

Evans left Saturday’s match in the 19th minute, and is traveling to Miami today to join the U.S. team, which is gathering in Florida before departing to San Jose, Costa Rica for Friday’s World Cup qualifier vs. Costa Rica.

“I just felt it in my calf a little bit,” Evans told the Seattle Times after the match. “I’m planning to fly (to Miami) as of now.

“Calf injuries have always nagged me, and every once in a while it just flares up,” Evans added. “I’m hoping it’s like the others where I sit out this game and give myself some ready, and be ready in a week.”

(UPDATE- According to the Seattle Sounders, Evans did not travel to Miami, and will instead stay with the Sounders to rehabilitate his injury, which would appear to rule him out for the upcoming qualifiers.)

With Evans looking like he is out for the Costa Rica qualifier on Friday, and potentially the qualifier vs. Mexico on Sept. 10th, Jurgen Klinsmann will likely turn to Geoff Cameron to fill the right back role. Cameron has started at right back for Stoke City, and last started at right back for the USMNT in the 0-0 draw vs. Mexico at Estadio Azteca last March.

Klinsmann also has Michael Orozco on his roster as a player who can play right back, but he might be tempted to call in some back-up at the position, with Michael Parkhurst a candidate to be called in, as well as Eric Lichaj, who is starting regularly at right back for Nottingham Forest. Timmy Chandler is another possibility.

What do you think of this development? Who would you start at right back vs. Costa Rica? Who would you call in to provide right back depth? Is it time to call in Eric Lichaj?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Why’s everyone so worried about yellows? Last time we had Chiquidracula was the loss in Jamaica, there were only 3 cautions (2 for us, Jones and Goodson).

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  2. Based on the selections (and expert opinions), it’s pretty clear that Klinsmann’s planning on putting the top XI out there (well, top 11 uninjured), yellow cards be d*mned.

    I guess he values early WC qualification over a better chance at victory against Mexico.

    I’m surprised Klinsmann doesn’t have Kljestan there. He was very solid against BIH (even though he was playing against their backup D) and has really elevated his game. We could be in a tight spot if Bradley, Jones, and Cameron (at RB) get yellows in San Jose.

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    • JK made it clear that Sacha remains in his plans. He has no card issue so if it all goes sideways in Costa Rica he’s probably first up in Columbus.

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  3. Thankfully we are fully covered at right back, as so many people on this board have informed us.

    Hoping to try out new natural right backs would be paranoid, right?

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  4. I think I’d go with cameron at right back, hes had a pretty good start to the season there for stoke, so that makes our starting 11
    ————————-Howard———————-
    Cameron——Gonzo—Besler——-F. Johnson
    ——————–Bradley—Jones——————–
    Zusi——————Dempsey————Donovan
    ————————EJ———————————

    I’m assuming altidores not gona be fit for this one, so id see EJ starting there but wouldnt mind the iceman getting a go

    Reply
      • I think I could see orozco there, or even live with parkhurst. Or you could save cameron for mexicio and play one of those two against costa rica

  5. I think it is pretty obvious Fabian Johnson is going to be playing right back against Costa Rica. Why is that so hard to fathom?

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  6. The unfortunate part of this is that it most likely keeps Cameron out of the midfield. Was really hoping to see him paired with Bradley again. If we see JJ and MB paired together yet again I will be very disappointed

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  7. Klinsmann will do whatever it takes not to call in Lichaj… Parkhurst will be 1st option, then he’ll drunk dial Chandler at 3 AM and they’ll get back together. If that does not work maybe Spector as a 3rd option or anyone else but Lichaj. You see it’s because 1) Lichaj has never been in camp before (gee, whose decision has that been?) 2) he may disrupt chemistry as a new arrival at this stage of the WCQ (please ignore Evans, Brooks, Johansson, Ream called up over past few months)…3) not playing in top league in the country (ignore D.Williams and Ream) 4) playing time is important-oh wait I guess Lichaj IS playing this year….ahhhh… well…. umm… ‘we’re following his progress”

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    • Cameron is not simply a “handy” player, bryan. He is a tremendous athlete with an iron will to win and always puts out 110% and he is a damm good player. His is not a handyman he is one of the most important and best players on the team. His game yesterday was great.

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      • You act as if being called “handy” is an insult.

        Cameron’s value to the USMNT is as a handyman. It is why he is a lock to go to Brazil.

        Without being “handy” Cameron might not make that plane.

  8. Speaking of Parkhurst, Kicker magazine is implying that Augsburg is hoping to unload him before the transfer window closes tomorrow. Unfortunate that Klinsmann called Parkhurst to three camps over the summer (WCQ, Gold Cup, Bosnia-Herz) after he played in only two games for Augsburg since mid February, most of that time not even making the bench. The Gold Cup basically ruined any chance Parkhurst had of establishing himself at Augsburg during the preseason and then Klinamsnn calls him in two weeks later with the Bundesliga season underway for the meaningless Bosnia-Herz friendly. If Klinsmann was trying to wreck Parkhurt’s club career he did an outstanding job. I sincerely hope Parkhurst can make a beneficial move to a decent team Monday and rebuild his career.

    http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/591355/artikel_manninger-schubst-torwartkarussell-an—kommt-jeong-ho.html

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      • But while Parkhurst was at the Gold Cup his team was in pre-season training, meaning Parkhurst was not there to state his case with his club and get into the flow with his team. And, as I said, two weeks later he misses another week of training for Bosnia-Herz.

        But you might be right. It is possible Klinsmann was calling Parkhurst in to try to raise his profile in the transfer market. But, if so, this was not IMO acting in the best interest of the USMNT and was unfair to other more deserving players in the pool who could have been tested at right back.

      • I know you’re a fan of Lichaj, so i assume he’s one of the more deserving players in your opinion. it’s not as easy for me to conclude that Lichaj ranks above Parkhurst. Parkhurst has won a lot of individual and team accolades so far in his professional career, and until his Augsburg situation unraveled, he was on an upward trajectory. Lichaj hasn’t won anything and he’s just made a move to lower league.

      • ” It is possible Klinsmann was calling Parkhurst in to try to raise his profile in the transfer market. But, if so, this was not IMO acting in the best interest of the USMNT and was unfair to other more deserving players in the pool who could have been tested at right back”

        National team managers, starting with Bob Bradley, have been known to do this from time to time. If they can help their players get a job it benefits the national team..

        My guess is:

        Parkhurst and JK know more about this situation than you

        Parkhurst is an adult and anything JK might have done with
        Parkhurst’s career in mind was done with his consent and participation.

        You write as if Michael is some idiot being led down a garden path by JK. I like to think a pro who has carved a career for himself in Denmark and Germany for a few years now knows a bit more about his career options than you do.

        .

      •  ” It is possible Klinsmann was calling Parkhurst in to try to raise his profile in the transfer market. But, if so, this was not IMO acting in the best interest of the USMNT and was unfair to other more deserving players in the pool who could have been tested at right back”
        National team managers, starting with Bob Bradley, have been known to do this from time to time. If they can help their players get a job it benefits the national team..
        My guess is:
        Parkhurst and JK know more about this situation than you
        Parkhurst is an adult and anything JK might have done with Michael’s career in mind was done with his consent and participation.
        You write as if Michael is a fool being led down a garden path by JK. I like to think a pro who has carved a career for himself in Denmark and Germany for a few years now knows a bit more about his career options than you do.

      • The incumbent RB at Augsberg is also the team captain. Maybe there isn’t a coincidence, and the better player was always going to get the PT?

  9. I don’t think Evans would have started at right back anyway. Cameron is on fire at right back with a very good performance yesterday. We have no problems at right back.

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      • You’re totally dismissing Orozco! Just kidding, Cameron looked solid in all phases. Great play on the build up to the free kick goal. I even liked that awkward play where he chested the deflected cross down in his own box and had to dribble out. Argument there for not playing folks out of position. You wouldn’t have to make a play like that as a midfielder.

    • I’ll disagree 🙂

      Evans’ game vs. BH solidified his spot I think and only because of this injury will he not start. what makes anyone think someone else was going to start there after the quails and then his callup and subsequent performance vs. BH? I understand many can’t believe he’s been so good there because he’s only playing MLS and not an RB on his own team, but he’s earned the job thru performance imo

      this injury gives others a chance now, and maybe they take it, but Evans has been nails back there

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  10. If you would have told me a few months ago that an injury to Brad Evans could impact a USMNT qualifier, I would have laughed in your face.

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    • That’s not to say I think it will keep keep us from getting results. But it does put some perspective on projecting rosters for the WC

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  11. You know what we should do….we should put Donovan at RB…or Bacon. Then we will really have our best 11 out there at the same time.

    Reply

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