Photo by Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
By DAN KARELL
It’s looking likely that Joe Corona won’t take the field for either Club Tijuana or the U.S. Men’s National Team until 2015.
According to a report from Goal USA, Corona suffered a fracture of his fifth metatarsal in his right foot during Tijuana’s 2-1 victory against Queretaro on Friday evening. The fifth metatarsal is the long bone on the outside of the foot, connected to the little toe.
The report claims that Corona will miss at least four weeks, though its expected that the injury will keep the 24-year-old midfielder out even longer. Corona entered the match against Queretaro in the 60th minute as a substitute but lasted only 13 minutes before needing to be removed with the injury.
Considering the timing of the injury, Corona could likely be out for the rest of the Liga MX Apertura, unless Tijuana make a playoff run. In addition, the broken foot almost surely rules Corona out for the USMNT’s two upcoming European-based friendly matches, on Nov. 12 vs. Croatia and Nov. 18 against Ireland. The match against Croatia is still reportedly being finalized, though an announcement is expected this week.
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What do you think of this news? Disappointed to hear of the injury? Do you hope he comes back in time to feature for Tijuana or the USMNT? Who do you expect to replace him on the USMNT squad?
Share your thoughts below.
such a bummer. even if he wasn’t playing that well for the US, he is in great form and looks solid for Xolos every week. would have been nice to see him have a full season at that level.
Corona and Xolos were at their best and consequently, he was most promising with the Nats when the Argentine Antonio Mohamed was leading TJ to an Apertura title and a very respectable showing in Copa Libertadores. Since his departure along with TJs mediocrity, Joe has had some nagging injuries, not as much favor or playing time and his play has predictably fizzled with the national team. His play lately puts him on the fringes, but writing him off is rash/foolish. A players form, (especially younger players) goes through ups and downs, sometimes due to club, manager, injury confidence or even a lapse in motivation. It’s why having depth is so important. Best of luck to a speedy recovery to Joe and return to form. I agree with above posters that Nguyen deserves a call up. Dude’s play has been alive.
Interesting that you say that because I thought Corona looked a lot sharper with the Nats in the Gold Cup a couple years ago, where it really did look like he was potentially going to break through…and then he just sorta…fizzled. But there was some obvious quality there.
He has been a little disappointing for the nats considering the experience he has but hopefully . hope he will coming soon with us.
Wishing Corona a speedy recovery, but I agree–right now he has more in common with players like Paco Torres and Sasha Kljestan than with Mixx Diskerud or Alejandro Bedoya. Maybe there is stuff happening in training that just doesn’t translate. Or maybe, like Wondo, this is a player being rewarded for respecting and living out the work ethic that JK espouses… Either way I hope he gets healthy.
Hate to see him hurt, but can we finally bring Lee Nguyen in from the cold?! He’s such a good player, in a position of need. Watching him this MLS season, I see no reason why he shouldn’t be involved with the nats.
That was my first thought when reading this story. Maybe the stars are aligning for Lee. He certainly deserves it and I certainly don’t trust JK to do the right thing and give him a fair shot.
+1. For a long time, I was not convinced it was worthwhile to spend time exploring Lee in a USMNT shirt (primarily on account of his age, lack of caps, and minimal likelihood of being an impact CM through 2018) but it has just become too compelling. Let’s give this dude a look. I am down to see.
big blow, hopefully he has a speedy recovery. He has been a little disappointing for the nats considering the experience he has but hopefully he finds but he is quality and hopefully he proves it next year.
I dont want to see him hurt mind you but I also don’t want to see him with the NATs anymore.
I kinda agree with you. He should be one of our better young midfielders due to experience but it just hasn’t worked out. I don’t think he should be cut forever mind you, just give the man a break for a year or so. Then see if anything has changed.
I don’t think JK is bringing the best out of anyone.
huh? Jones, Beckerman, Mix, Johnson, Yedlin, and others have all performed very well under JK. better than a lot thought they were capable of.