FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — The departure of America’s top defender Chris Richards is uncertain. world cup He will miss Sunday’s friendly against Senegal due to an ankle injury.
Richards Torn two ligaments in left ankle He arrived at U.S. training camp on Friday and was evaluated by medical and performance staff.
“We’ll have to wait and see,” U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino said on Saturday. “The next few days will be key to see if we can qualify for the World Cup.”
Pochettino wants to know if Richards will be available and said he has repeatedly asked first assistant coach Jesus Perez about Richards’ status.
“I asked…100 times, what do you think?” Pochettino said. “The answer was wait, wait, wait, wait.”
The 26-man roster must be submitted to FIFA by June 1, and the United States has until June 11 to fill in injured players.
Central defender is one of the shallowest positions on the American roster, and Richards is considered the best American at that position. Captain Tim ReamAuston Trusty, Mark McKenzie and Myles Robinson are the other central defenders listed.
Vancouver’s Tristan Blackmon and Toronto’s Walker Zimmerman, who is on the U.S. 2022 World Cup squad, are potential replacements.
Richards, 26, will miss the 2022 World Cup due to a hamstring injury. He did not travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, for Sunday’s game and was scheduled to remain in Fayetteville.
“I think he needs to continue his rehabilitation and I think it’s much better to stay here, plan his training and reassess his condition next week,” Pochettino said.
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