- Sargent is nursing an ankle injury
- Had been training separately from the group
- Remains uncertain for the Brazil game and the Copa America
WHAT HAPPENED?
Sargent, the Norwich City forward, has been following an individual training routine – away from the squad this week – as Berhalter’s troops prepare for the friendly at Commanders Field near Washington, D.C. Sargent’s injury woes began earlier in the season when he broke his ankle, necessitating surgery and sidelining him for four months. Despite returning to action in December and enjoying a successful campaign with Norwich City, scoring 16 goals in 26 league matches, his ankle problems have been a recurring issue.
WHAT BERHALTER SAID
Speaking on Sargent’s injury status, Berhalter told reporters: “We’ve been training with Josh both in the gym and on the field, but he’s not going to be fit to play in the Colombia game. We’ll have to see if he makes it for the Brazil game, and then we’ll have to make a decision if he makes it in the Copa America roster.
“He’s had a nagging foot injury. We’ve been unloading him, then giving him some more and then we’ve been testing him, just to see where he’s at. And for us, it’s about how do we get him ready and prepared in a good way, and then make a decision if he’ll be available.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
With Sargent’s availability in question, Berhalter has other forward options to consider. The USMNT roster includes Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright, who will need to step up in Sargent’s absence. However, the manager is even mulling to look beyond the options from the camp and might call up a new player from the USMNT’s Copa America preliminary squad which had 55 players.
“Right now we have 27 players in the camp, so there’s also the likelihood that we’d just stick with the 26 if Josh can’t go,” he said.
“The other option would be to look outside this player group and look for someone on the prelim roster to replace Josh. It’s a bridge that we’ll cross when we get to it.”
WHAT NEXT FOR THE USMMNT?
The immediate focus for the USMNT will be the friendly matches against Colombia and Brazil, which will serve as critical tests for the team’s readiness ahead of Copa America. Berhalter’s strategy will likely revolve around optimizing player fitness and assessing the form of his forwards in the absence of Sargent. The manager will have to submit the final roster of 26 players for the Copa America on June 12.
