Maurice Edu (concussion) returns to USMNT training

Maurice Edu was cleared by doctors to return to training after suffering a concussion with the Philadelphia Union last week. The midfielder participated in training on Friday and will now look to get himself fit before camp really picks up next week.

Edu was the first player to report to World Cup training camp, but he could not play because of his concussion and has been under doctor supervision since getting to Palo Alto, CA. He's done concussion testing and pushed himself as far as doctors would allow, but on Friday he passed his first concussion test and go the go-ahead to take the pitch.

Edu is battling for a World Cup roster spot so it is important that he was cleared to play before next week. Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones are the two starting central, defensively-capable midfielders, while Kyle Beckerman is the clear-cut backup, but Klinsmann has to decide if he wants to take one more central midfielder.

It makes sense to take another defensive-minded midfielder because if one of the first three earns a suspension, Klinsmann wouldn't have anyone on the bench to play the position. That is if he doesn't consider Geoff Cameron a defensive midfield option as well.

If Edu can have a strong training camp and show that his athleticism and range can be an asset, while his shaky passing isn't too much of a drawback, he very well could be on his way to Brazil regardless of what Klinsmann thinks of Cameron or whether he thinks he needs another defensive-minded midfielder, but his spot is hardly assured. He still needs to play well and the first step of that is getting on the pitch, which he has been finally cleared to do.