Photo by ISIphotos.com
U.S. national team defender Frankie Hejduk was not in uniform for the Columbus Crew's match tonight vs. San Jose and it looks as though he won't be in uniform when the U.S. team faces Costa Rica in San Jose a week from now.
According to a television report during the Crew-Earthquakes match, Hejduk will not play in the Costa Rica qualifier because of the groin injury that sidelined him from tonight's Crew match.
If Hejduk can't go, U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley will have to turn to either Toronto FC defender Marvell Wynne or West Ham defender Jonathan Spector to replace him when the United States faces Costa Rica at Estadio Saprissa on June 3rd.
Hejduk has enjoyed a renaissance as the U.S. team's starting right back since taking over for injured starter Steve Cherundolo. He helped the U.S. team pull off a two-goal comeback to draw El Salvador, 2-2, in the U.S. team's last qualifier.
Now Bradley will need to turn to Wynne or Spector to replace Hejduk in the lineup. Spector has the edge in national team experience, having made 12 appearances for the national team, compared to Marvell Wynne's two appearances.
Spector fought through injuries to enjoy an increased role with West Ham this past EPL season, including a starting role by the end of the season. Wynne has recently had some injury concerns, but has battled back and looked sharp for Toronto FC this season.
Who do you think should get the nod vs. Costa Rica if Hejduk can't play? Cast your vote:
What do you think of this news? Who do you think will start? Do you think the U.S. national team will be able to win at Saprissa? Will they miss Hejduk?
Share your thoughts below.
I picked Spector just because I haven’t seen him in a while, but if he’s the same old Jonathan Spector, I’m not convinced he’s been than Wynne. Spector can be very erratic and wild. He has some interesting takes on how to tackle. Hejduk and Dolo are both way more reliable.
Let’s hope that we see Wynne on the right and Spector at LB
Yes, Spector’s ball skills and touch are better than Wynne’s, but Marvelle’s form and health are much better and he is a better fit for the U.S. system. Keep in mind that the U.S. wingbacks typically have to cover more ground than European backs do. The U.S. relies on their backs to make a ton of overlapping runs and still have the speed to get back for defense. This is why they keep giving chances to Bornstein despite his atrocious defending.
Wynne has that catch-up speed that no one else on the USMNT team has (even Beasley). He has an extra gear that must be very intriguing for Bradley. He is also very strong and his defensive technique has improved greatly to the point where he can shut down opposing forwards, though he still has appalling lapses in concentration that are very dangerous. I hope they both get a chance to show what they can do. We certainly need the depth.
I’ll complain no matter what, since I’d prefer a lineup of
Spector – Subotic – ‘Gooch – Boca
That would be a slower, yet pretty strong back-line.