ไทย
English
中國人
The U.S. men's national team suffered a blow to its squad depth over the weekend, as left back John Tolkin is now expected to miss the next "coming weeks," with the 2026 World Cup just two months away.
The 23-year-old—who represented the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics—sustained a medial collateral ligament injury during Holstein Kiel's 2–1 victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf in the 2. Bundesliga, going down early in the contest. Tolkin was forced off in tears in the seventh minute after twisting his knee, with Marko Ivezić stepping in for the rest of the game.
Despite his team claiming all three points, the club announced via X on Monday that the "23-year-old will not be available for the coming weeks" as the injury is "being treated conservatively," adding: "We wish you a speedy recovery, dear John."
The prognosis appears more favorable than Holstein Kiel manager Tim Walter had initially feared, as he said in a visibly shaken post-match interview: "The scene looked really bad. [Tolkin] is a great footballer and also a kind-hearted person." According to The Athletic's Seb Stafford-Bloor, it is not an ACL tear and no surgery will be required.
Although Tolkin was absent from the USMNT's March camp—during which the side fell to global heavyweights Portugal and Belgium in friendlies—he has remained on the radar as a depth defensive option for USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino's final World Cup squad.
This season, the former New York Red Bulls defender has featured in 27 matches in Germany's second division, starting 26 of them while contributing one goal and two assists. Following the weekend victory, Holstein Kiel now occupies 12th place in the second division, sitting two points clear of the relegation zone.
Pochettino's Other Depth Options
With 26 roster spots available for the World Cup, Pochettino will have no shortage of options at any position, and Tolkin's inclusion would most likely come as a third-choice left back in either a three- or four-man defensive setup.
In March, both Fulham's Antonee Robinson and Columbus Crew's Max Arfsten filled the left back role—a position where Tolkin is a natural fit, having earned 10 caps with the senior national team.
Should Pochettino need an additional left back beyond Robinson and Arfsten, he could turn to FC Köln's Kristoffer Lund, Vancouver Whitecaps' Tate Johnson, or for extra cover at right back, likely either Borussia Mönchengladbach's Joe Scally or Philadelphia Union's Nathan Harriel.
The USMNT head coach is scheduled to announce his World Cup roster on May 26, ahead of final preparatory friendlies against Senegal and Germany, and the U.S.'s June 12 World Cup opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles.