U.S. national team left back Sam Vines announced on Instagram that he will miss 3-4 months with a broken tibia, ending his World Cup hopes.
Vines had put himself in contention for a place in Qatar with a strong start to the season with Royal Antwerp in Belgium, where he became an every-game starter.
The 23-year-old was called in for September’s friendlies against Japan and Saudi Arabia, his first USMNT call-up since November 2021.
But his hopes of landing a spot backing up Antonee Robinson in Qatar have now been dashed.
“Life is full of ups and downs,” Vines wrote on Instagram. “Unfortunately yesterday I broke my tibia and had to get surgery. The operation went well and I should be back in 3-4 months. Upset I missed the chance to be in the World Cup but I will be supporting the boys until the end. Thank you for all the support. I’ll be back stronger.”
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Behind Robinson, starting right back Sergiño Dest has often been deployed as a backup left back for the national team. Joe Scally can also play the position, though he typically plays right back at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
With Vines out, Scally would appear to have a World Cup spot just about locked up. George Bello, another left back option for the USMNT, has struggled at second-division Germany side Arminia Bielefeld and has only been capped once by the USMNT in 2022.