For the U.S. men’s national team, injury anxiety kicked in this past weekend before European seasons even began.
Weston McKennie, box-to-box midfielder extraordinaire, dislocated his shoulder in training and missed Juventus’ Saturday friendly against Real Madrid. Italian media reported Sunday morning that the USMNT star would miss at least a month. Juventus said Monday that McKennie had undergone tests at the club medical facility, where doctors confirmed a "capsular" injury. "The player will begin rehabilitation," Juve said in a statement, and "three weeks of differentiated work will be required."
And thus began three-and-a-half months of worry in a World Cup year unlike any other.