By FRANCO PANIZO
If you were curious as to why Michael Parkhurst was not in FC Nordsjaelland's gameday roster this past weekend, wonder no more.
A staple in his team's defense, Parkhurst suffered a toe injury prior to Nordsjaelland's 2-1 win over Silkeborg IF on Sunday. The severity of the injury is still unknown and no timetable has been given for Parkhurst's recovery.
Should the injury keep Parkhurst out for any substantial amount of time, he could miss out on the U.S. men's national teams friendlies and World Cup qualifiers this summer.
Here are more stories from around the soccer globe:
MUAMBA DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL
Almost a month to the day after he suffered a cardiac carrest during a game, Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba was released from the hospital on Monday. Muamba was cleared to leave the hospital for the first time since collapsing in Bolton's FA Cup match versus Tottenham Hotspur on March 17, and a picture of him shaking hands with two of the doctors that looked after his well-being was released. One of the doctors, Andrew Deaner, was a Tottenham fan who jumped out of his seat and raced onto the field to aid Muamba, who is now recovered from the incident that almost took his life last month.
VAN PERSIE, ROONEY, AGUERO HEAD PFA SHORTLIST
The shortlist for the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Player of the Year award was released, and Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero are some of the nominees. Other players on the list include Joe Hart, David SIlva and Scott Parker. One player who was not nominated despite enjoying a stellar season is Fulham's Clint Dempsey. The winner will be announced at the annual PFA award ceremony on Sunday.
ZUBELDIA REPLACES BASILE AS RACING COACH
Alfio Basile's successor at Argentine club Racing has been appointed. Luis Zubeldia was named head coach of Racing on Monday, two days after Basile resigned due to the club falling at the hands of archrival Independiente in embarassing fashion. Zubeldia joins Racing from Ecuadorian club Barcelona, and will be the youngest coach in Argentina's first division at 31 years-old.
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Do you expect Parkhurst to return to full health and make the U.S. roster for this summer's games? Wondering why Dempsey is not on the shortlist? How do you see the fairly young Zubeldia faring at Racing?
Share your thoughts below.