Timothy Chandler’s 2014 World Cup USMNT Call-Up Chances Crushed With Latest Injury

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Timothy Chandler suffered a knee injury during Nurnberg‘s game on Saturday. As a result, he will miss 8-10 weeks and his 2014 World Cup call-up chances are crushed.

While the 2014 World Cup is not until June, this injury prevents Chandler from playing against Ukraine when the USMNT faces the squad in a March 5 friendly. It was expected that Chandler would be called up in order to show USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann his skill, development and potential. Chandler last appeared in a USMNT game back on February 2013 World Cup Qualifier against Honduras.

There is still a chance Chandler could grab Klinsmann’s attention, but his World Cup chances are majorly lowered. After his expected 8-10 week injury recovery, Chandler’s time with Nurnberg needs to be phenomenally and fantastic. The odds of making the team are against him, but he could still make it.

With Chandler’s not looking good, other USMNT hopefuls now have a chance of being called up. This news should inspire those other players to step up and showcase to Klinsmann why they should be on the squad for the trip to Brazil.

One of them is Brad Evans. While Evans plays midfield for the Seattle Sounders, he frequents right-back for USMNT. There is a mixed bag out there on Evans’ performance, but his USMNT stock now climbs with Chandler’s injury. In any case, it would take an absolute miracle to see Chandler play in June for USMNT, and Klinsmann now needs to find a suitable replacement for both the Ukraine friendly and the World Cup.

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