The United States men's national team has suffered a significant blow ahead of the World Cup, as midfielder Johnny Cardoso will miss the tournament due to a serious ankle injury. The 24-year-old, who was born in New Jersey and plays for Spanish club Atlético Madrid, requires surgery on his right ankle after medical tests revealed damage beyond the initial sprain. Cardoso was considered a key part of head coach Mauricio Pochettino's midfield plans for the competition, which begins on June 11.
Injury Details and Confirmation
Atletico Madrid confirmed on Monday that Cardoso needs surgical intervention after further assessment of the injury. The midfielder had originally been diagnosed with a sprain, but subsequent scans showed more extensive damage. This development dashes hopes that Cardoso could recover in time for the World Cup, leaving the USMNT without one of its most promising talents.
Impact on USMNT Squad
Cardoso's absence creates a void in the center of the pitch at a crucial time. The United States will open their World Cup campaign on June 12 against Paraguay in Los Angeles. The team is already dealing with other injury concerns. Forward Patrick Agyemang was ruled out in April after tearing his Achilles while on loan at Derby County in England. Additionally, star attacker Christian Pulisic is managing a back issue that kept him out of AC Milan's recent match against Atalanta. While Milan believes the injury is not serious, the timing raises alarms with the tournament approaching.
Opportunity for Sebastian Berhalter
With Cardoso unavailable, Sebastian Berhalter may see his chances of making the final 26-man roster improve. The Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder scored a crucial equalizer in a 1-1 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes over the weekend, continuing his strong form in Major League Soccer. After the match, Berhalter spoke about Cardoso, expressing hope for his recovery. "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."
Berhalter, the son of former USMNT head coach Greg Berhalter, has been building momentum with consistent performances. Cardoso's injury could open the door wider for him before Pochettino announces the final roster on May 26.
Warmup Matches and Group Stage
The United States will play two warmup matches before the World Cup. They face Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte, followed by a match against Germany on June 6 in Chicago. After that, the squad will train in Irvine, California, ahead of the group stage. Following the opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles, the Americans travel to Seattle to face Australia on June 19. The group stage concludes with a challenging match against Turkey back in Los Angeles on June 25.
Conclusion
For now, the focus remains on Johnny Cardoso's recovery. Losing a key midfielder so close to the World Cup is a painful blow for Pochettino and the United States. The team must now adjust its plans and hope that other players can step up to fill the gap.
