By CALEB SONNELAND
Omar Gonzalez, fresh off the plane and training with Nürnberg, was given a Bundesliga welcome by compatriot, and now teammate, Timmy Chandler in a crunching tackle — one that left the former with an injured knee.
Though the extent of the injury is yet to be confirmed by the club, Gonzalez is seen pictured on the pitch in pain as a club physio examines his left knee.
After months of USMNT fans calling for Gonzalez to be thrown into the January camp, the defender was finally called up by coach Jurgen Klinsmann, only for Gonzalez withdraw to complete a loan move to Nürnberg.
Now, however, it remains uncertain how severe his injury may be and how long the defender could be out of action after only being with the team for a very short period of time.
Here are some other stories from around the world to round out your Thursday:
TEVEZ COULD BE HEADING FOR ITALY
Argentinian journeyman Carlos Tevez may soon have a new home.
His long-time agent, Kia Joorabchian, revealed that he is working on finalizing a deal with AC Milan which would take Tevez to the San Siro. However, Milan appears only interested in taking the striker on loan while Manchester City seems determined to sell permanently.
Despite strong interest from Milan, it appears that cross-town rival Inter Milan has joined the chase for Tevez, with the club technical director reportedly in Manchester to discuss a potential permanent move. Still, insists Joorabchian, a switch to AC Milan looks more likely.
Tevez has been an outcast at the Eastlands since late September when the forward reportedly refused to enter the game as a substitute. After the dispute with manager Roberto Mancini, the future of Tevez has been up in the air.
KEANE BEING EYED BY MCLEISH
LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane only joined the current MLS champions halfway through the season, but he's already being lined up for a loan move in the offseason by Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish.
McLeish, knowing that time is of the essence, says that, if a deal can't be tied up by next Monday, then the switch probably won't happen at all. Still, he says the chance of a loan being agreed is "more than 50/50."
Should Keane complete the move, he could potentially line up against USMNT star Landon Donovan when Villa takes on Everton at Villa Park.
Keane is currently training with his long-time former club Tottenham, also of the English Premier League.
JUNINHO LOOKS SET FOR BRAZILIAN STAY
Juninho's stint at the LA Galaxy looks set to come to a close after the midfielder told his parent club, Sao Paolo, that he "dreams" of emulating his success in MLS at the Brazilian club.
Juninho enjoyed a highly successful stint in Los Angeles and became a crucial cog in the Galaxy's bid to win the MLS Cup.
However, in his interview with the Brazilian club, spoken in Portuguese, Juninho said that, of the 2012 season, he expects, "a special year." He hopes to make am impression on the team that and to win titles upon his return.
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Worried about the Gonzalez injury? Think Keane should join up with Aston Villa? What will the Galaxy midfield look like without Juninho?