Across the last four years of 2022 World Cup preparation, the United States has been consistently struck by the injury bug. As the team heads into the final international break before the FIFA tournament begins, the situation is no different.
A host of important players have been struck down in recent weeks, as head coach Gregg Berhalter will be sweating the health and form of key players as the World Cup draws ever closer. Many players are either struggling with new injuries or dealing with lingering problems that have continued through the season.
Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, and others have been sidelined ahead of the September international break, while others have picked up new problems.
Here is an updated list of all key USMNT internationals currently struggling with injury problems, either sidelined or with a reduced ability to compete.
MORE: A full breakdown of the USMNT roster for the September friendlies vs. Japan & Saudi Arabia
Gio Reyna (hamstring)
Gio Reyna has missed nearly the entire club season last year with a hamstring injury that just would not go away. The injury was initially suffered on international duty, withdrawn late in the 0-0 draw with El Salvador that began the competition a year ago in the September break.
The 19-year-old attempted numerous comebacks since, with many falling short and seeing Reyna return to the trainer’s room. In February, Reyna earned his first start since August, but only made it 29 minutes before he was brought off the field in tears. After just six minutes of play against Stuttgart on April 8, Reyna was withdrawn and could be seen in tears again as he exited the pitch. Dortmund boss Marco Rose confirmed that Reyna would miss the rest of the season.
He has finally returned to the field successfully, and his club team Borussia Dortmund are taking things slow. However, with recent injuries to Thorgan Hazard and Mario Gotze, Reyna will be needed for big minutes in the run-up to the World Cup, a major test of his fitness. Included in the USMNT squad for the September friendlies, expect Gregg Berhalter to take it easy with the young Dortmund forward.
MORE: Predicting the 26-man roster for the USMNT at the 2022 World Cup
Antonee “Jedi” Robinson (ankle)
The USMNT left-back went down in a Fulham match in early September against Tottenham, twisting his ankle as he attempted to deliver a cross.
There is at this point no timetable for Jedi’s return. Gregg Berhalter and Fulham manager Marco Silva both referred to his situation as “day-to-day,” with Berhalter saying “we’re not sure exactly” when he will return to Fulham training. It will be important to get Jedi back on the field before the World Cup begins.
It’s a critical injury at a position of thin depth for both club and country — his loss was critical for Fulham as they were torn to shreds by Spurs on that flank. Sam Vines will compete for the backup spot in the September window, while George Bello is struggling for playing time in the 2.Bundesliga.
Timothy Weah (ankle)
The Lille winger tweaked his ankle prior to the season, and his recovery has been slow. As of the September international break, Weah had not yet appeared for Lille this season.
Gregg Berhalter said in his press conference ahead of the September international break that Weah should be back in club training soon, possibly even at some point over the break. That would bode well for his return to the field prior to the World Cup.
Still, the USMNT wish to take it slow, and Weah was not included on the roster for the September friendlies against Japan and Saudi Arabia. Weah has proven an extremely important player at the USMNT in a crowded right-wing position that includes Brenden Aaronson and Gio Reyna.
Yunus Musah (groin)
One of the presumed midfield starters for the United States was pulled back from the September friendlies after suffering a groin injury with his club team Valencia.
Gregg Berhalter has a number of options at midfield, and Musah’s absence will likely mean that Luca de la Torre gets significant time in the two September friendlies alongside other established starters Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie. Johnny Cardoso was called in to replace the Valencia man, and he’ll be considered alongside fellow midfield backup Kellyn Acosta. Malik Tillman, Gio Reyna, and Brenden Aaronson have also shown an ability to play deeper midfield roles if needed as well.
While Musah is expected to be ok in short order thanks to his “minor” injury, his absence from the September friendlies robs the “MMA” midfield from being able to build chemistry ahead of the World Cup, which is a notable fallout.
Zack Steffen (knee)
While the USMMT goalkeeper situation was already on shaky ground with the two presumed top starting options both riding the bench at their parent clubs, it’s now even more questionable after Zack Steffen picked up a knee injury.
While Matt Turner has been backing up Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal, Steffen was also stuck behind Ederson at Manchester City. The Citizens decided to loan Steffen out for playing time, and he moved to Middlesbrough where he was expected to start when healthy.
Five matches into the Championship season, Steffen went down with a knee injury, not only leaving his standing within the USMNT goalkeeping room in question, but at his club as well. There has been speculation that backup Liam Roberts could earn the starting job from Steffen, which could make things even more problematic.
Cameron Carter-Vickers (knock)
The USMNT center-back missed a key chance to jockey himself into a starting spot at the World Cup after pulling up with a late knock just ahead of the start of camp.
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou said that CCV was “a little sore” after the draw at Shakhtar Donetsk, and he was not included in the squad to face St. Mirren in league play over the weekend. In CCV’s absence, Celtic tasted defeat in Scottish Premiership play for the first time this season.
This seems a small injury, and while the USMNT played it safe and kept Carter-Vickers out of the friendlies this month, he will likely return soon and push for a spot on the roster, with a good chance to be on the plate to Qatar.
Chris Richards (undisclosed)
Along with Carter-Vickers, Richards was also withdrawn from the USMNT roster for the September friendlies at the last minute, but the Crystal Palace defender’s injury was not disclosed. However, U.S. Soccer called his and CCV’s injuries “minor” in the official release, giving him hope to return soon.
Despite that, the miss is a brutal blow to Richards, who needed international minutes in the worst way. He’s been unable to find time under Patrick Viera to begin his Premier League career, and while it’s a small sample size thanks to numerous cancellations, he will need to break into the Crystal Palace lineup to have a chance at being included on the plane to Qatar.
Cristian Roldan (sports hernia)
The Seattle Sounders midfielder seemed a good bet to make the World Cup roster as a fringe player who could get time in case of injury. Then an injury of his own struck, leaving him in a race for time.
Roldan misses the September friendlies and could be left at home after having surgery to repair a sports hernia in late August. The recovery timeline is 4-6 weeks, but often these things linger and affect performance for longer. The 27-year-old had apparently tried to gut it out, but just couldn’t remain effective and elected to have surgery.
While Roldan should return to club action just before the World Cup, he may not be fit enough to prove he deserves one of the 26 spots on the roster in Qatar. It’s going to be really tight.
Miles Robinson (Achilles)
I’m sick to my stomach for Miles Robinson. Another Achilles for @ATLUTD is mind blowing. #UNITEandConquer #USMNT pic.twitter.com/UklMtjRave
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) May 7, 2022
On May 7, starting USMNT center-back Miles Robinson suffered a serious foot injury in an MLS match for Atlanta United against the Chicago Fire.
In the 18th minute of the match, Robinson landed awkwardly on his left foot settling the ball with his chest under no pressure. He went down in pain and slapped the ground in frustration, immediately aware that something bad had happened. Robinson was eventually stretchered off the field, clearly in pain and very upset.
After the match, Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda said, “I think it’s going to be a bad injury.” Sure enough, on Monday morning, Roger Gonzalez of CBS Sports reported that Robinson indeed does have a torn Achilles and will have surgery immediately, confirmed by Atlanta United within the hour. No word of a timetable for his return was immediately available, but it will be a race for his World Cup availability, and that may well prove a losing battle.
🚨 Sources tell CBS Sports that USMNT defender Miles Robinson will undergo surgery today. It is indeed a torn Achilles.
— Roger Gonzalez (@RGonzalezCBS) May 9, 2022
Social media reaction to the injury seemed to point towards playing on turf at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as a potential cause for the injury, as Atlanta United has suffered a number of long-term tendon injuries this season, many coming on turf fields both at home and on the road. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan also tore his Achilles, and midfielder Ozzie Alonso tore his ACL.
Robinson has been a first-choice defender for a number of years now under head coach Gregg Berhalter, and at a position of thin depth for the United States, it will be a race against time for Robinson to regain match fitness for the 2022 World Cup, with likely not enough time for a return before the tournament.
MORE: A full breakdown of the Miles Robinson injury and who could replace him at center-back
