Weston McKennie sustained a thigh injury against Lecce on Saturday but is expected back in about two weeks. Josh Sargent and Luca de la Torre are also concerned for USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter ahead of the World Cup.
The World Cup is just around the corner, with its kick-off set for November 21, and as the days go by, players are now wary of injuries. More and more players are getting injured and at risk of missing the tournament. Blame for the high spate of injuries in recent weeks is put on the timing of the World Cup.
FIFA has received blame for shifting the Mundial to the middle of the regular football season. The timing has led to fixture congestion, with the attendant effect being the players playing too many matches.
Last week, Raphael Varane was stretchered off the pitch after sustaining an injury leading to his place in the France World Cup becoming doubtful. It is the latest in a long line of injuries, but more seem to be on the cards. The United States was handed a scare over the weekend as Weston McKennie sustained an injury in a Serie A match.
Weston McKennie in injury scare
There is a high possibility of top players missing the World Cup in Qatar. Several players have fallen to the scourge of injury recently. Some players that will miss the World Cup include Diogo Jota, N’Golo Kante, Reece James, Paulo Dybala, Ronald Araujo and Raul Jimenez.
The United States is trying to make a solid impression at the World Cup in Qatar. They are counting on all their top players for the tournament.
The USMNT, however, suffered a scare at the weekend following an injury to one of its star players. Weston McKennie limped off at half-time of the Bianconeri’s 1-0 win over Lecce on Saturday. The midfielder sustained a thigh injury and will be out of action for 15 days.
The Juventus forward should be back in time to participate in the World Cup. The USMNT will count on his goals to go far at the World Cup. They are counting the days and hoping they do not incur more injuries ahead of the Mundial.
Other concerns ahead of the World Cup
The United States will kick off their World Cup campaign on November 21 against Wales. The closeness of the tie leaves a narrow timeframe for the Juventus forward to regain full fitness. The USMNT coach Greg Berhalter will name his 26-man squad for the World Cup on November 9.
Should the 24-year-old McKennie return fully fit for the World Cup, he would likely be a starter for the Americans. The Bianconeri attacker has featured in 37 games for the USMNT and scored nine goals. He is a vital player for the Americans in Qatar.
The USMNT has other concerns. Josh Sargent is another doubt for the Mundial. Sargent was missing in the game between Norwich City and Stoke City. He has a calf injury. Coach Dean Smith is confident he will be back in time for the World Cup. Smith said it wasn’t too bad an injury, and Sargent is close to playing.
Luca de la Torre is another player that is giving Berhalter headaches.
The Celta Vigo midfielder is out for around three weeks with a torn thigh muscle. Torre is now in a race against time to recover.
The US plays Wales, England and Iran in the World Cup group stage.
