The U.S. national team has begun to gather in San Jose without three probable starters for two vital World Cup qualifiers.
Forward Bobby Wood was the latest scratch, withdrawing Sunday after injuring his back in a Bundesliga match the day earlier. Fabian Johnson, a midfielder and defender, went down with a hamstring injury on Thursday, the day after new coach Bruce Arena set his 24-man roster.
Defender DeAndre Yedlin didn’t even make it as far as the initial list: His thigh ailment removed him from consideration.
Defender Eric Lichaj, an option at the outside back positions, also dropped out of the running with an injury and goalkeeper Brad Guzan, in a battle with Tim Howard for the starting job, stepped away Thursday because the timetable for his wife to give birth changed.