REPORTS Geoff Cameron might be out for USA vs. Mexico

It appears that the U.S. men's national team could be missing a key piece for its upcoming 2018 World Cup Qualifying matches against Mexico and Costa Rica.

Joe Prince-Wright of Pro Soccer Talk is reporting that defender/midfielder Geoff Cameron will not be traveling to the U.S. for the international break:

ProSoccerTalk understands that Cameron will not even make the trip back to the U.S. for the international break as he focuses on getting fully fit.

Cameron injured his right knee after a late collision in the 2-0 win at Hull City on Oct. 29 and was initially diagnosed with a hyper-extension but there was also a strain in the MCL. He hasn’t played since.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes also stated that Cameron's inclusion in the U.S. roster is unlikely:

MH on Cameron availability: The likelihood is that he won't be involved and he won't travel to join up with his country next week. #SCFC

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) November 4, 2016

How important is Cameron to the U.S. and Jurgen Klinsmann? ESPN's Paul Carr weighed in:

Geoff Cameron played every minute of all four #USMNT World Cup qualifiers and all six Copa América games this year. https://t.co/JSKvfcjoUm

— Paul Carr (@PCarrESPN) November 4, 2016

The 31-year old Cameron formed a formidable partnership with John Anthony Brooks at the Copa America Centenario. If Cameron is out for these qualifying matches, it is unknown who would play alongside Brooks. The most likely options are Sporting Kansas City's Matt Besler or Pachuca's Omar Gonzalez.

There is no official word from U.S. Soccer or Klinsmann on Cameron's status. The USMNT plays Mexico on Friday, November 11th at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio and Costa Rica on Tuesday, November 15th at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose.

Can the U.S. beat Mexico and Costa Rica without Cameron? How big of a loss would his absence be? Let us know in the comment section.