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Cherundolo to make Hannover return in charity match

SteveCherundoloHannover1-Furth2012 (Hannover96)

By DAN KARELL

After undergoing two knee surgeries this summer, Hannover 96 captain Steve Cherundolo is close to making a full comeback.

The 34-year-old right back hasn’t played a first team game for the club since May 18 but returned to full training this week and is set to feature for Hannover in a charity match against local side TSV Barsinghausen on Thursday. Proceeds from the match are to go to an association that helps children with cancer in Hannover.

Along with Cherundolo, fellow defenders Christian Pander and Felipe are overcoming injuries as well, with forward Jan Schlaudraff hoping to pass a fitness test for his back problems.

The U.S. Men’s National Team veteran hasn’t played for head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad since last October when the USMNT was in Kansas City, having suffered on and off from knee issues and other minor injuries for the last 12 months that have kept him out of the National Team side.

Cherundolo’s next chance to play for Hannover in a Bundesliga match comes on October 19 at Borussia Dortmund. Following that game, the Reds play one week later on October 26 at home against Fabian Johnson and Hoffenheim.

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What do you think of this news? Excited to hear that Cherundolo is going to play? Do you expect him back by October 19? Do you see Klinsmann calling up Cherundolo in November?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I hope his recovery is complete. He is the only US prospect on the back line who has played in a WC or for multiple seasons as a starter in one of the toughest leagues.

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  2. I’ll be happy to see “the Mayor” back in a USMNT camp and even happier when he wins back the RB position. His instincts, quality and leadership are second to none in the player pool.

    I wonder why he did not get the arm band after Boca?

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  3. Absolutely my favorite USMNT Defender ever along with Eddie Pope. I hope he makes it back for the match against Hoffenfeim, but I don’t have any real expectation at this point. He is the most underrated USMNT player ever in my opinion.

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    • I’d take Dolo over Pope any day. I adore the Mayor, but I think the reason he doesn’t get more popular acclaim is that rather than being a shining youth prospect like Jozy or Landon, he wasn’t that good when he was younger. Up till this last spell of knee problems, Cherundolo has aged like a fine wine and just gotten better and better. His attacking and defending “instincts” were no where near what they are now at the 2006 WC, and he was already 27. I’m praying dude gets his form back, but if he doesn’t, in my opinion he will have peaked circa 2010-2011 when he was like 32. Amazing, and abnormal. I hope we see him in Brazil.

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  4. this is step one of at leat five until he actually make sit back to USMNT…having been disapponted by lingering injury issues with Holden, Gatt, Onyewu and JOB, I’d rather wait until he takes the field for 90 minutes consistently….

    now if can only get Chandler to come back Stateside and beg to be let back into the USMNT, the RB/RW situation would look drastically better

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  5. He has attacking instincts that I have never seen from another American defender but still doesn’t get caught out of position when he makes runs. Unfortunately, it was plainly visible that he had lost a step in the games after the 2010 World Cup and I can’t imagine three more years of aging and injuries have allowed him to get that step back. Will his instincts make up for his recent lack of pace? Cameron, Evens, and Chandler aren’t the toughest of competition but Cameron and Chandler will be in their physical prime and presumably have another year of starting at RB in elite leagues by next summer.

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    • Fair points but if he wins his starting job back for the rest of the season that should answer most of the questions.

      It is my understanding that the Bundesliga has some pretty good players and teams.

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  6. Sweet! it will be great to have Cherundy back!!!! No one in the entire USMNT defensive pool brings more to the table than The Mayor of Hannover!

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  7. Great news! If he can get back on the field soon for Hannover’s 1st team, he’s got enough time to regain fitness and get back with the NT early next year. An in-form ‘Dolo is a difference maker, and a pretty major upgrade over any other RB option. Crossing my fingers.

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