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USMNT players get injured at Jurgen Klinsmann’s camps and their clubs are annoyed
This isn’t the first time this has happened.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
Are you a USMNT fan frustrated with John Brooks’ injury? Hertha Berlin is frustrated too. He showed up to US camp hurt, but feeling like he could play. Now he’s returned to Berlin more hurt, and their sporting director isn’t happy.
“It was all a bit curious and certainly not ideal,” said Michael Preetz. “John boarded the plane without any acute problems and returns injured. It raises a few questions ... It might have made sense to keep him here in Berlin for one more day to see how things developed. Instead, he now has 30 flight hours in his bones. And the U.S. association keeps him on site for four, five days without any real examination.”
Brooks isn’t alone in accepting a call-up, then returning to his team with an injury after a few days in camp. Matt Besler and Fabian Johnson did the same thing. You might remember that in October, Klinsmann criticized Johnson for embellishing an injury during a game against Mexico, only for Johnson’s club team to state that he genuinely was injured and would miss a couple games.
Goal of the day
In the news
Klinsmann says he’s not playing anyone out of position, despite criticisms. (MLS)
Perhaps meaningless, but we should mention that Klinsmann has put his house up for sale. (SI)
Poor Harry Redknapp, his Jordan team got trucked by Australia. (BBC)
Arsene Wenger says criticism of him and Arsenal is “not very welcome.” OK. (Guardian)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang admits he wants to play for Real Madrid, but not next year. (AS)
Wayne Rooney was rumored to be back after internationals, but he’ll be out another week or two. (Telegraph)
You should be reading
Chaka Simbeye on PSV sporting director Marcel Brands. (In Bed With Maradona)
Omar Saleem on Besiktas, who are so much more than Istanbul’s third club. (These Football Times)
Arthur Renard on Riechedly Bazoer, one of the world’s biggest prospects, playing for the Netherlands on Tuesday. (Guardian)
What to watch on Tuesday (click for listings, all times ET)
World Cup qualifying -- Too much to mention, but we recommend Colombia-Ecuador at 4:30 p.m. and Costa Rica vs. Jamaica at 10 p.m. The USMNT is on at 7:25 p.m., but we can’t recommend their game in good conscience.
Friendlies -- Also a ton. Our recommended game is Germany vs. Italy at 2:45 p.m.
Olympic qualifying: USA vs. Colombia (9:20 p.m.) -- The Americans drew 1-1 in Colombia. A 0-0 draw or any one-goal win gets them into the Olympics.
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