Projecting the U.S. roster for September's World Cup qualifiers

A pair of crucial World Cup qualifiers await the U.S. national team in September and injuries could leave Bruce Arena with some decisions to make.

It wasn't that long ago since Bruce Arena and his U.S. national team were sipping champagne after lifting this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup, but it probably feels like a distant memory now given just what lies ahead for them in the coming weeks.

The U.S. should head into September's World Cup qualifiers feeling very confident, but a rash of injuries to key defenders could force Arena to trot out a patchwork defense against Costa Rica and Honduras. John Brooks, Omar Gonzalez and DeAndre Yedlin have all been sidelined by injuries, while other defensive…