Injury issues keep European-based players out of upcoming USMNT matches
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Mar 16, 2023
USMNT captain Tyler Adams was a scratch for the squad announced for the Concacaf Nations league group matches against Grenada and El Salvador because of a hamstring injury picked up in training this week at Leeds United, but he wasn't the only player held out because injury issues.
"We’ve spoken with the clubs, and in each case we have worked together to make a decision in the best interest of the player and to do our best to ensure they are available for us this summer." USMNT interim coach Anthony Hudson said in a U.S. Soccer Q&A released on Wednesday.
Those cases include two players who were on the 2022 U.S. World Cup team -- Cameron Carter-Vickers (knee) and Josh Sargent (ankle) -- and two players who weren't -- Chris Richards (back) and Malik Tillman (hamstring).
Those issues don't mean that they aren't available to play for their clubs.
Sargent started on Wednesday for Norwich City in its League Championship match, while Carter-Vickers scored in Celtic's 3-0 Scottish Cup quarterfinal win over Hearts last Saturday.
Tillman has not played for Rangers since the Scott League Cup final against Celtic on Feb. 26 but has been cleared to return to action this weekend. Richards hasn't played for Crystal Palace since Feb. 18 but has dressed for recent games.
If healthy, all would be considered candidates for the Nations League final four and Gold Cup, both of which the USA still has to qualify for.
"Those issues don't mean that they aren't available to play for their clubs." Psst--here is the secret: These players (and their clubs) don't really want to them to play these cummy concacaf matches, fly 10-12 hours or more, play on crappy field, officiated by lenient concacaf officials, and maybe get injured. There is little upside for them. These guys need to focus on securing club minutes and are saving themselves the wear and tear/injuries. But the public doesn't want to hear it so we have to do this charade.
What about Mihailovic.??? He should be there for Tillman
What about Erik Palmer-Brown.??? He should be there for CCV
What about Haji.??? He should be there for Sargent.
Hoppe.???
I don't understand the Cut-Off at 24.???
This was same mistake Ggg made... Pool is too Small
Actually the Pool is about the right size...Around 30
We should be bringing ALL 30 EACH WINDOW.!!!
That way, in case of Injuries or Bad Form; ALL the Players understand the Game Plan and are INTEGRATED "Relationshiply"
Oh... What about;
Busio and Tessman.???