Fabian Johnson suffered a broken hand during Hoffenheim’s 4-0 loss to FC Nürnberg on Saturday, leaving the US national team handyman’s health in question as the Americans close in on a World Cup tune-up in Europe in early March.
Johnson (above) suffered the injury during the first half and was substituted at halftime, and a report on the Bundesliga league website confirmed the severity of the injury.
No timetable for his return has been given.
After wrapping up a January camp composed of mostly MLS players with a friendly against Korea Republic on Feb. 1 in Los Angeles, the USMNT will travel to play Ukraine on March 5 in Kharkiv. That matchup will serve as an important test for the team’s European before the World Cup camp is called in May. The US open the World Cup in Brazil on June 16 against Ghana.
Johnson, 26, was one the USMNT’s steadiest contributors as both a defender and a midfielder in 2013, logging three assists in eight appearances. He played in six of the team’s 10 CONCACAF World Cup qualifying matches, but also missed time with a recurring ankle injury that ultimately forced him out of the team’s two international friendlies in Europe in November.
He has not appeared for the USMNT since he started at right back in the the team’s 2-0 win over Mexico in Columbus on Sept. 10. Johnson suffered a strained left hamstring during the match and had to be substituted at halftime for Michael Parkhurst, but he's widely considered a lock for Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad in Brazil if healthy.
