Two of the U.S. men’s national team’s top defensive performers in Europe this season will not feature again this spring.
Tim Ream and Cameron Carter-Vickers have been ruled out for Fulham and Celtic respectively, both clubs confirmed on Sunday. Ream suffered a broken arm in Fulham’s 2-1 home English Premier League loss to Manchester City while Carter-Vickers is set to undergo knee surgery following Celtic’s 1-0 Scottish Cup semifinal victory over Rangers.
Both players are not expected to return for the final weeks of their respective league schedules.
Ream suffered his injury in the 22nd minute at Craven Cottage after getting tangled up with Julian Alvarez on a loose ball. Alvarez accidentally stepped on Ream’s arm, forcing the 35-year-old to be replaced by Issa Diop not long after suffering the injury.
It was a disappointing ending for Ream, who committed a foul on Man City’s opening goal, which was scored by Erling Haaland. The USMNT centerback had featured in all 33 of Fulham’s league matches this season, and was a major contributor to the success under Marco Silva so far.
“Tim Ream probably won’t play no more this season. He’s broken his arm,” Silva said postmatch.
Fulham sit 10th in the EPL table following back-to-back league defeats to Aston Villa and Manchester City respectively. The London-based club has five matches remaining this season.
Cameron Carter-Vickers set for knee surgery
Celtic advanced to the Scottish Cup Final on Sunday, but won’t have the services of American defender Cameron Carter-Vickers when that time comes.
Carter-Vickers is set to undergo surgery on his knee after fighting through the injury over the past few weeks, Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed. The USMNT defender logged 90 minutes as Celtic edged Glasgow rivals Rangers at Hampden Park, booking its place to face Inverness CT in the tournament final this May.
Carter-Vickers joined Celtic on a permanent transfer last summer and has been one of the best overall defenders in the Scottish Premiership this season. The former Tottenham defender has totaled 38 combined appearances for the current league-leaders, helping Celtic win the Scottish League Cup and move one step closer to completing a domestic treble.
“That’s his last game for us, he needs to get his injury looked at now, so that will be him for the season. But he wanted to play,” Postecoglou said postmatch.
“I was trying to push him to have it done a bit earlier but I’m scared of him so I just let him do what he wants,” he added. “He was keen to play and he put in a performance that befits his standing at our football club. It’s a credit to him.”
Carter-Vickers in total has made 83 appearances for Celtic over two seasons, which has helped him fight his way back into the USMNT picture. Celtic is one victory away from lifting the Premiership title, which could come on May 7 at Hearts.