Sacha Kljestan called up to USMNT for World Cup qualifiers; John Brooks withdraws from squad

U.S. Soccer announced two big changes to their roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers beginning on Friday at St. Vincent and the Grenadines. John Brooks was forced to withdraw from the squad due to a back injury. To replace him, Klinsmann has called on the oft-ignored Sacha Kljestan.

Brooks’ absence will be difficult to adjust to seeing as the USMNT finally developed a back line with chemistry during the Copa America this summer. Brooks and Geoff Cameron finally gained some understanding of one another and the results were fun to watch. Now, Klinsmann will be forced to break up that successful back four and find a replacement.

The call-up of Sacha Kljestan will please many supporters who have constantly wondered why the New York Red Bulls midfielder hasn’t been with the team. The USMNT veteran hasn’t been called up since March of 2014, but has been in incredible form for those two years for his club side. He’s arguably be the best playmaking midfielder in MLS over that time. He’s finally getting his chance to see if he can translate his dynamic play from MLS to the USMNT.

These changes are pretty significant, we’ll have to wait and see how it affects Klinsmann’s starting lineup decisions.

What do you make of the changes? Happy to see Kljestan finally get another shot?