HOUSTON (AP) – Midfielder Brenden Aaronson (AP pic below) will miss the United States’ (US) final three World Cup qualifiers after injuring a knee during pregame warmups with Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.
After Aaronson got hurt on Sunday, the US Soccer Federation said he would report to the national team in Houston.
“After reviewing the updated medical information and in consultation with Red Bull Salzburg, we have determined that Brenden Aaronson would not be available to play in the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches,” the team said in a statement on Monday. “We were hopeful he would be able to recover in time; unfortunately, that will not be the case.”
Aaronson did not travel to the US. The American team said it was not sure whether he will be replaced on the roster, which has 26 players remaining.
The 21-year-old from Medford, New Jersey, had been the only US player to appear in all of the first 11 qualifiers, starting seven. He scored against Canada and Honduras in September.
Aaronson has three goals in 21 league matches this season.
The US also is missing midfielder Weston McKennie, defenders Sergiño Dest and Chris Richards, and goalkeeper Matt Turner.
