Publisic is doubtful for the World Cup qualifier against Canada.Publisic is regaining fitness after a positive COVID-19 test, and he missed the first game of the pandemic-delayed 14-game final round, a 0-0 tie against El Salvador, on Thursday night. “We’ve been working with him to get him up to speed on his training. We’re trying to figure out what he can handle, what kinds of workloads he can handle, and I believe that’s the first step “Gregg Berhalter, the United States’ coach, said on Saturday.
Publisic, a 22-year-old attacker who made history by becoming the first American to play in and win a Champions League final last season, was unavailable for Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Arsenal on Aug. 22 and a 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Aug. 28. On Monday, he returned to training with the US and stayed in Tennessee as the team headed to Central America . Publisic is doubtful for the World Cup qualifier against Canada
Publisic was scheduled to be tested again later Saturday to see if he would make the game-day roster. Berhalter explained, “It’s about truly seeing how he can come back in a safe way.” “We’ve been talking with him about how he’s coping with the loads and everything. We’ll see if he’s up to the task.”Publisic is doubtful for the World Cup qualifier against Canada
Due to back spasms, Steffen was substituted by New England’s 27-year-old Matt Turner in the El Salvador encounter. Steffen, Manchester City’s backup to Ederson, is still out, according to Berhalter. In El Salvador, while Berhalter estimated the US had about 1.6 anticipated goal opportunities, wingers Gio Reyna and Konrad de la Fuente, central midfielder Brenden Aaronson, and striker Josh Sargent were unable to generate attack. He stated that combination play and passing “weren’t up to the level that we expected,” but that this was due in part to the fact that 12 players were making their qualification debuts. Publisic is doubtful for the World Cup qualifier against Canada
Canada drew 1-1 with Honduras in Toronto, Mexico beat visiting Jamaica 2-1, and Panama was held to a 0-0 tie by Costa Rica at home. The top three nations from North and Central America, as well as the Caribbean, qualify for the tournament the following year, while fourth place advances to a playoff for a spot in the tournament the following year.
Publisic is doubtful for the World Cup qualifier against Canada. From 2001 until a 2-1 loss to Mexico in the final round opener in Columbus, Ohio, the United States had gone undefeated in 32 home qualifiers (30 victories). They were then defeated 4-0 by Costa Rica four days later, forcing Jurgen Klinsmann to be replaced by Bruce Arena, and losing 2-0 to the Ticos in Harrison, New Jersey in September 2017.
