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Everyone’s worst fears when Fabian Johnson left Borussia Monchengladbach’s Europa League match early in the first half yesterday have come true. While it always seemed like the inevitable outcome, it’s now confirmed that Johnson will miss the USMNT’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The Washington Post’s Steven Goff reports that he will miss out and that Bruce Arena is expected to name a replacement to the qualifying roster soon.
Goff suggests that Graham Zusi, Julian Green and Paul Arriola could be potential replacements. Going purely off of form, you’d have to give the edge to Arriola. It was a surprise to not see him listed on the initial roster considering how great of a start he’s gotten off to in the Liga MX Clausura season. With two goals and two assists in his opening eight matches, while playing a hybrid winger/wingback role, he seems the perfect candidate to call in.
This will be the second change the roster will possibly see as U.S. Soccer announced on Thursday night that Brad Guzan was replaced with David Bingham due to the expected birth of his second child.
Who do you think should replace Fabian on the roster?
UPDATE: It’s Graham Zusi.
Graham Zusi will replace Fabian Johnson on the US qualifying roster. Makes sense.
— Brian Straus (@BrianStraus) March 17, 2017