Celtic star Auston Trusty is hoping to shake off an ankle injury in time for USMNT's World Cup knockout stage clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The centre-back had to be stretchered off during USA's final group stage game - a defeat to Turkiye, which did not cost them their place at the top of the group.
Trusty actually scored the opening goal in what was an entertaining game, ending 3-2, and the result wasn't even enough to get Turkiye off the bottom of the group.
But the game had a bitter end for Trusty, who had to leave the pitch on a stretcher after twisting his ankle.
Trusty hoping to bounce back quickly
Speaking after the game, the centre-back said he was hopeful of returning for next week's knockout game. He said: "I don’t know. I can’t really react to it. Honestly, I am in my head right now. I rolled my ankle pretty bad. He followed that up by adding: I’ll be all right… I heard a little something, but I’ll be fine. No worries.”
You have to admire the optimism there, but it is true that Trusty has some time before Wednesday's Round of 32 clash with a usually tough-to-break-down Bosnia and Herzegovina side.
Ankle ligaments can be a real pain to get back to full strength, but if the damage is not too serious, they can also be strengthened pretty quickly to the point of being able to strap up the ankle and play.
Trusty also has the benefit of being a centre-back, which means he can play without having to do some of the high-speed twisting and turning a winger, for instance, might have to do. Although he did play left-back during that Turkiye game, he is not likely to keep his place there, given Antonee Robinson will be the starter.
The Celtic centre-back will be hoping to mark 40-year-old Edin Dzeko, who is understandably not particularly mobile at this stage of his career. Having said that, he may well start from the bench, with Tim Ream and Chris Richards seemingly Mauricio Pochettino's go-to players at centre-back, and Alex Freeman can also play there, as well as on the right of defence.
Either way, Trusty will be hoping to be passed as fit so that he can play some part in getting USA through to the Round of 16. Given the extended nature of this tournament, the Round of 16 would be a good return for this USMNT side, although their loftier aim will likely be to get to the quarter-finals. Such a feat would certainly be regarded as success this summer.
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