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Jones, Kljestan released to clubs after USMNT tie with Serbia

Photo by Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports
Photo by Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports

Two U.S. Men’s National Team midfielders will return to their clubs ahead of the upcoming friendly against Jamaica.

New Los Angeles Galaxy signing Jermaine Jones and Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan will return to their clubs after playing in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Serbia, United States coach Bruce Arena announced at the postgame press conference.

“We’ll be sending Jermaine Jones back to the Galaxy since he’s not eligible to play against Honduras,” Arena said. “We’re going to look at other players, and so he can get acclimated to the (LA) Galaxy. Sacha Kljestan is leaving as well. He’s going to be a father again next week, so he’ll be heading back to New Jersey.”

Jones is ineligible to play against Honduras on March 24 due to a one-game suspension from competitive matches after a yellow card against Costa Rica in the team’s last qualifier.

Jones started and played the first half at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego before being subbed off at halftime for Sebastian Lletget. Kljestan also started, then left the match in the 77th minute for Benny Feilhaber.

The Galaxy added Jones, who most recently played for the Colorado Rapids, on Jan. 18. Jones enters his fourth season in MLS when the season opens in March.

The Red Bulls have already played one preseason game, a 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers on Friday in Tucson, Arizona. The Red Bulls will play Real Salt Lake in Tucson on Jan. 31. The Galaxy are set to play their first preseason game against Xolos Tijuana on Feb. 7.

Comments

  1. Jones was probably our best player besides Nagbe in the first half. He still is good enough to make the 23 and would probably start against Honduras but for his suspension. He’s not the problem in the midfield. I thought Bedoya and SK were mediocre. Bradley did nothing but hit hit and hope long balls and turnover short passes.

    Reply
  2. With Sacha and Jones gone looks like we should see Benny F start. Should be interesting.

    I’d like to see:

    Altidore and Morris
    Nagbe- Benny- Lletget
    —— Bradley——–
    VillaF, cb, cb, RB
    Rimando

    I left most of the D blank because the options in this camp don’t interest me at all. We all know the European based and Mexican based players have those on lock. These guys are just bodies to fill out the camp (Birnbaum the only possible exception).

    Reply
    • I like your midfield / forward selections:

      ———-Altidore——-Morris————

      —–Nagbe——-Benny——-Lletget—

      ——————Bradley——————-

      or also, rest our regulars (for a probable second half in case the scoreline is not favorably) and field

      ———Agudelo———–Morris———

      ——————–Benny——————–

      Nagbe——————————-Lletget

      ——————–Bedoya——————

      lets see how it goes on Friday. So far, regardless of the scoreline and factoring in preseason and players shaking off the rust, I’m optimistic

      Reply
      • Bedoya is playing himself out of the starting lineup and possibly out of the 23. We’re younger and faster w/o him.

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