Three potential USMNT starters are out, but for how long?
The latest U.S. men’s national team roster was missing some familiar faces due to injury, with three potential starters in Antonee Robinson, Tim Weah, and Zack Steffen all left out.
Speaking to reporters following Wednesday’s roster announcement, Gregg Berhalter provided an update on a trio that could all easily end up in the starting eleven to face Wales in the USMNT’s World Cup opener in 69 days.
According to Berhalter, all three players have injuries that may well be resolved in the next couple of weeks, though in the case of Robinson and Steffen, there is still a bit of a mystery as to exactly how close they are to returning.
The closest to a return is Weah, who sprained his ankle just before the start of Lille’s season in Ligue 1. Les Dogues initially thought Weah would miss a couple of games, before eventually concluding that he needed a more lengthy course of treatment last month.
According to Berhalter, that recovery time is just about over, with Weah possibly returning to training with Lille before the USMNT camp in Europe concludes.
“Timmy is moving along,” said Berhalter. “He may be in team training by the end of next week. But we’re hopeful on him.”
Return dates for Robinson, Steffen unclear
Per Berhalter, Robinson’s injury is also an ankle sprain, but the prognosis is slightly more cloudy. While there was no doom and gloom in his answer, Berhalter conceded that the USMNT doesn’t have total clarity on when their presumptive starting left back will return.
“It’s an ankle sprain, and you know, day-to-day,” said Berhalter of Robinson, who picked up the knock on September 3 in Fulham’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham. “We’re not sure exactly when he’s going to be back in training. At this stage, it’s probably better not to rush it and give him the proper recovery time.”
Berhalter noted that while Robinson is a big part of his plans, the USMNT does need alternatives in case he’s injured or suspended during the World Cup. Sergiño Dest and Joe Scally were name-checked, while Berhalter added that this window is “a great opportunity” to gauge Sam Vines as a candidate for the final squad heading to Qatar.
Steffen’s injury situation is a bit more murky, as the 27-year-old has missed four straight games for Middlesbrough. Berhalter said that while there’s no definitive return date at this point, the USMNT thinking is that he’ll be back in action for his club “shortly.”
“With Zack, you know, it’s more of a question in my opinion of his health. He’s been struggling with a little bit of a knee injury,” explained Berhalter. “(Middlesbrough have) been resting him, and now they’ve done a (platelet-rich plasma) injection. He’s waiting on that to calm down a little bit.”
Berhalter will be hoping for good news on that front during this camp, as this camp will close roughly six weeks before the final USMNT roster for Qatar is announced.
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