The U.S. national team received tough news Monday, May 11, with Atlético Madrid announcing midfielder Johnny Cardoso’s ankle injury requires surgery, likely putting him out of the World Cup.
“Johnny Cardoso will have to undergo surgery to operate on the injury suffered to his right ankle,” the club statement read.
The American suffered an injury in training last Thursday which triggered a high-grade sprain with joint impact.
While the La Liga club didn’t unveil a timetable for the player’s return, the news is a blow for hopes the 24-year-old would be fit for the World Cup.
Multiple reports, including from The Athletic, said that Cardoso will be out for this summer’s tournament.
U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino will be looking for other options, especially with Tanner Tessmann also sidelined by an injury in Europe.
There is optimism around Tessmann’s World Cup availability, but the depth issues in central midfield could be good news for the World Cup hopes of players like Sebastian Berhalter of the Vancouver Whitecaps, Cristian Roldan of the Seattle Sounders, Middlesbrough’s Aidan Morris and Jack McGlynn of the Houston Dynamo.
The full roster will be announced May 26 at an event in New York City. The United States starts World Cup play June 12.