Brad Smith was left off Australia’s World Cup qualifying roster due to a positive Covid-19 test, national team coach Graham Arnold told reporters on Saturday. Smith did not play in the Seattle Sounders’ most recent match on Wednesday after being listed as out under the league’s “health and safety protocols.”
“He’s not in the squad because he’s got COVID,” Arnold said. “He tested positive only two days ago, so he’s out of the squad for those reasons.”
Smith is vaccinated and apparently not showing symptoms, but all players and coaches undergo testing every other day.