HOUSTON — United States manager Gregg Berhalter said midfielder Weston McKennie is out for Tuesday’s friendly with Chile due to a left ankle injury he picked up on Thursday against Ecuador, but Berhalter added that the player didn’t sustain any broken bones.
McKennie was injured midway through the second half when he fell awkwardly after attempting a headed clearance. He left the field with the help of trainers but eventually required a stretcher to carry him back to the U.S. bench.
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McKennie was seen at Saturday’s training session with his left leg in a boot and was moving around with the aid of crutches.
“McKennie is out [for Chile] but there’s nothing broken,” Berhalter told ESPN.
Tyler Adams will also miss the Chile match after being sent home to club side RB Leipzig. Berhalter said that decision was made in concert with Leipzig.
“I would look at [Adams’ return to Leipzig] more as a collaboration in terms of setting out a long-term plan for the player with the club, identifying what our schedule is for the upcoming year, and saying, ‘OK, we understand that you’re in the middle of trying to qualify for the Champions League, we understand the importance for you. Here’s what’s important for us. Let’s see what kind of arrangement we can come to.’ It’s important communicating with the clubs, and in this case it was able to work out,” Berhalter said.
Berhalter led the team through what he called “an active regeneration session” that included some tactical work without the ball. Wil Trapp, who was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge in the Ecuador match that eventually contributed to his being substituted in the second half, was a full participant in Saturday’s session.
Berhalter added that he’s expecting a very different match against Chile, which lost to Mexico 3-1 on Friday night.
“It’s going to be a physical challenge, they’re going to be pressing us, it’s going to be high energy,” Berhalter said. “For us, it’s about coming to terms with that and dealing with it.”