The United States have been hit by a huge blow with the World Cup just a month away with key midfielder Johnny Cardoso ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury.
His team, Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, confirmed on Monday that he needs surgery on his right ankle after tests revealed his high grade sprain had also damaged the joint itself.
The 24-year-old Cardoso, from New Jersey, was a nailed-on inclusion in Mauricio Pochettino‘s team before injury struck. The news of his absence is a massive blow.
The tournament begins June 11 when Mexico hosts South Africa and the USA’s first game is a day later against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
Cardoso’s injury could clear the way for Sebastian Berhalter – son of former USMNT head coach Greg Berhalter – to secure his place in the team.
He rounded out an impressive display for Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday by scoring his team’s equalizer against Western Conference leaders San Jose Earthquakes in a 1-1 draw.
USA and Atletico Madrid midfielder midfielder Johnny Cardoso is out of the World Cup
Cardoso needs surgery on ankle sprain after tests revealed he has also damaged the joint
Speaking after that game, Berhalter sent Cardoso a message of support before the extent of his injury was clear.
‘He’s such a nice guy, and to be honest, I hope he’s there,’ Berhalter said.
‘I hope he can recover and he’s someone that deserves to play for the national team, 100 percent, and he’s such a good player and hopefully he can take it back.’
Cardoso, who has played 23 times for the USA national team, is not the first key man to be ruled out of the tournament, either. Back in April, striker Patrick Agyemnag tore his Achilles while playing for English second tier team Derby.
He had been in impressive form, scoring 10 goals for the team after joining from Major League Soccer team Charlotte last year.
In perhaps the biggest concern though, USA star man Christian Pulisic is going for scans on a back issue that saw him miss AC Milan’s game against Atalanta on Sunday.
Pulisic hasn’t scored in a career-high 17 league matches since Dec. 28. Milan are hopeful Pulisic will be back for their final game of the season against Cagliari in just under two weeks and as it stands, there are not any major concerns on the issue limiting him at the World Cup.
Pochettino will name his 26-man roster for the tournament on May 26. From there, the team plays two warmup games against Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte and Germany on June 6 in Chicago.
USA star man Christian Pulisic is battling a back issue at the moment but concern is low
Mauricio Pochettino will name the 26-man USA roster for the World Cup at the end of May
The US team will practice in California between their games at a base in Irvine, California – about 40 minutes outside of Los Angeles.
After meeting Paraguay in LA, the US team flies up the west coat to Seattle for its second group game, where they take on Australia on June 19.
The group fixtures are then rounded out with a tough final game against Turkey, back in Los Angeles, on June 25.
