It appears that Johnny Cardoso of Brazilian side Internacional will get a U.S. men’s national team call-up to replace the injured Yunus Musah for the team’s upcoming friendlies.
Musah was part of a 26-player roster for the USMNT’s final two World Cup tune-ups against Japan and Saudi Arabia, set for September 23 and 27.
But the Valencia midfielder has picked up a knock, as revealed by his head coach Gennaro Gattuso at a press conference on Friday.
“He has a little discomfort. It is not a big thing. He has not trained today,” the coach said. “I have to talk to the doctor after the press conference because he has a small injury. I don’t know if he will be able to play in the game [vs. Celta Vigo on Saturday], but he has not trained today.
“Musah will not be going [to USMNT camp] either if his small problem is confirmed.”
The Athletic said that a Valencia spokesperson confirmed Musah would not be joining up with the USMNT for the team’s friendlies.
Musah’s replacement appears to be Cardoso, according to a report from Brazil as well as MLSsoccer.com
#Inter | Johnny convocado pela seleção dos EUA. Fora contra Atlético-GO e Bragantino. @GuaibaEsporte pic.twitter.com/eTAQnAuRk1
— Marcelo Salzano (@marcelosalzano) September 16, 2022
When speaking to the media after naming his roster this week, U.S. head coach Gregg Berhalter praised the 20-year-old, saying he nearly made the cut originally.
“At center mid Johnny Cardoso is playing every week in Brazil, and we like what he’s doing, his team’s doing really well,” Berhalter said.
Cardoso has made three appearances for the USMNT, all of which have come in friendlies. The most recent cap for Cardoso was a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina in December 2021.
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