A crucial pair of World Cup qualifiers loom for the U.S. Men’s National Team, and head coach Jurgen Klinsmann may be without one of the team’s biggest stars.
Midfielder Fabian Johnson suffered a groin strain in Borrussia Monchengladbachs’s 2-1 loss to Schalke on Friday. Johnson was removed from the game in the 70th minute. According to the club, Johnson will be out “for the time being.”
Johnson has been in fine form for the German Bundesliga club since the start of the season. The 28-year-old midfielder has netted six goals in 25 appearances with two of those goals coming in the last seven games.
The U.S. is set to visit Guatemala on March 25 before hosting a rematch at MAPFREÂ Stadium four days later.
What do you think of the Johnson injury? How will the U.S. fare without him if he is unable to play?
Share your thoughts below.
Him and Jozy will still be there. Injured players are just as good as fully fit ones.
Surprised we’ve never seen a Jordan Harvey call up. He’s one of the best left backs in MLS and he gets forward well. For a left back, he scores his share of big goals. He is not spectacular, but rarely makes mistakes and covers a lot of ground. His sense of positioning has developed very well the last 3 seasons, making him seem faster than he probably is. Brek Shea may be more dynamic in the attack, but he isn’t as intelligent as Harvey. I wonder who has more goals in games played as a full back between the two the last couple of years?
Zardes…../sigh
Pretty sure that Johnson was set for left wing, not defense. I think the call is to start Zardes instead, and bring in Castillo.
Castillo? Oh hell no!
For all those calling for players to be called up from the U-23s….Acosta, Kiessewetter, etc…it’s not going to happen. These guys are needed for the Olympics play-off match.
Villafana & Ream are the likely call-ups for the LB spot. LW is likely be played by Zardes, Nguyen, or Shea. A surprise call-up may be Pulisic but wouldn’t count on it.
I agree, Yes the senior team comes first but many have been calling for the likes of Nguyen, Nagbe, Finlay, Villafana to get more of a look for awhile now. Here’s a chance and we should still be able to get the job done, I hope easily.
Senior team comes first. I don’t think those guys are needed though.
Jerome Kiesewetter?
Kiesewetter needs to get a move, I don’t think he’s even making the roster for Stuttgart II at the moment. Should still be with the U23 as he has looked promising.
Yea, just saw the 23 call-ups. Looks like he’s heading Columbia/Dallas for the playoff.
Fabian ….this is Jurgen, come to camp anyway, we will build you up. We are doint the same with Jozy. If it doesnt work out again, you can quit again… oh and by the way, it will be hotter than Hell at the first game. Heat is good for muscle pulls
Do they bring up Acosta from u23s or, call in Shea, ream, JV
I’d say this might be the catalyst that gets Jorge a call up
But I, also, would like to see brek and Acosta get s call up
Villafana has already put together a more consistent run of good form than Brek has in his career. We’ve had a long period with an open window at left FB and wing/ very limited options out wide that Shea should well have taken advantage of. Has never seemed to have really gone after it for any sustained period. Maybe a few more competing prospects and the realization that time keeps ticking… he is no longer the up and comer will light a fire? Or…. perhaps another sad case of latent talent dying on the vine.
To perhaps clarify: I’d like Jorge, brek and possibly acoata to get a look (in that order essentially).
I’d like to see Jorge get a chance. He’s earned it. This assumes that FJ was slated to play left back of course. I think the team just works better when he plays in midfield. Looks like that debate is moot for these games though.
How did Shea look last night? Only saw the highlights, but didn’t see him mentioned much.
I’d like to see Villafana get a call up. Didn’t see much of him, but he looked impressive in playoffs/cup last year.
Shea looked confident and helped in the attack at the right moments. From quotes, he seems to have really accepted he LB role because he can pick his moments to apply his talents in the attack. With FJ out id say brek and Jorge would be our best all around players with Vincent and Acosta down the pipeline.
Side note, I know acosta plays mid too but I see him as a great LB/RB. Think Beasley switching to wingback/fullback earlier in his career. Solid speed and quickness. Tough mindset. Not afraid to tackle. Calm in possession.
Perhaps he should have asked to sub out earlier… 0_o