Timothy Chandler sidelined for six months

U.S. National Team and Eintracht Frankfurt full-back Timothy Chandler will be out for six months following successful surgery on his right knee Friday according to the team’s website.

Though the team’s website lists Chandler as a right-back he actually played primarily on the left side last season for a Frankfurt team that flirted with Champions League qualifying before slipping to eighth in the Bundesliga.

In good health Chandler should probably be considered as an option on the right or left side for the USMNT, though given the lack of options on the left at the moment that may be where he would have the most impact.

The 28 year old had expressed interest this summer in returning to the national team though he hasn’t appeared since 2016. Unfortunately this will be quite the setback for him as he’ll miss roughly two thirds of the 2018-19 Bundesliga season before returning sometime in February or March (assuming the team’s timeline holds) to try to work himself back into form and a regular role with his club team ahead of a potential Gold Cup call up.

The loss of Chandler will leave the USMNT looking at options including Antonee Robinson and Jorge Villafana at the left back position for the Fall “Kickoff Series” with games starting in early September and continuing through November. Combined with the recent injury to DeAndre Yedlin, though reportedly less severe than initially thought, could mean the US will be starting a very inexperienced back line come September.