Emerson Hyndman breaks collarbone, out 6 weeks

Emerson Hyndman is going to miss six weeks with a broken collarbone, according to Goal. The 18-year-old American midfielder was injured while playing for the United States in U-20 World Cup qualifying and is now going back to Fulham facing an lengthy absence.

This was a big year for Hyndman, who joined the first team at Fulham on a full-time basis despite being just 18. He's played 11 times for the Cottagers this season and has made some starts. Coaches have praised his poise and composure, while it's been striking just how easily he has adjusted to first team soccer at such a young age.

Now that Hyndman is hurt, he is looking at an absence that could stretch into April. While that will be terrible for his place at Fulham, it will also hurt the U.S. U-20s. The World Cup starts at the end of May and he won't have a lot of time to find his fitness and form, which is a big problem for the Americans seeing as Hyndman is their best player.

One thing to keep an eye on is how this affects Hyndman's standing with the Cottagers. His contract is up in the summer of 2016 and several clubs have expressed interest in him before. If this injury keeps him from establishing himself as a part of the Fulham foundation, they may choose to sell him instead of giving him a new contract or potentially letting him walk on a free transfer the following year.