USMNT midfielder to 'undergo surgery' throwing World Cup status into doubt

Cardoso will be undergoing surgery after injuring his right ankle in training -Credit:David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“The American suffered a trauma during training last Thursday that resulted in a high-grade sprain with joint involvement. We send you lots of encouragement and strength, Johnny, and wish you a speedy and full recovery from your injury.”

Again, Atleti opted against giving a specific timeline for the 24-year-old’s recovery. However, according to The Athletic, club sources have claimed that Cardoso will be sidelined until the club’s preseason at the very least, meaning his hopes of representing the USMNT in a World Cup on home soil are over.

A crushing blow for Cardoso, it will be equally disappointing for Pochettino, especially in light of fellow American defensive midfielder Tanner Tessmann’s recent season-ending injury with Lyon.

Head coach Paulo Fonseca recently said, via the team’s website, that Tessmann had suffered from “a muscle strain,” bringing his Ligue 1 campaign to a premature end.

Someone Pochettino had been high on in press conferences, praising his versatility given that he can also be deployed at center back, it remains uncertain if he will be back in time for the rapidly approaching World Cup.

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Combine these injuries with Tyler Adams’ struggles to stay fit this season, having been limited to 23 Premier League appearances for AFC Bournemouth, and Pochettino will have to seriously ponder who he feels is prepared to step up and play a meaningful role in their absences this summer.

Potential candidates could include Seattle Sounders’ Cristian Roldan, Vancouver Whitecaps’ Sebastian Berhalter, and Middlesbrough’s Aidan Morris. Alternatively, Pochettino may opt to move the likes of Juventus’ Weston McKennie into a deeper role.

And Pochettino’s injury issues don’t stop in midfield, with goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann also out of contention after breaking his neck during a Serie B game for Cesena in the middle of last month.

Up front, Patrick Agyemang has also been ruled out of the World Cup, having undergone surgery on an Achilles tendon injury suffered whilst playing for Derby County. Meanwhile, Toronto FC’s Josh Sargent has missed their last two games with a thigh issue.

The USMNT is set to kick off its World Cup preparations against Senegal on May 31 before facing four-time champions Germany on June 6. Their tournament will begin on June 12 against Paraguay in Group D, followed by Australia on June 19 and Türkiye on June 25.