Two U.S. Soccer Players Leave Camp Ahead of Exhibition Match in Chattanooga

January 30, 2017

Rick Nyman,

CARSON, Calif. (AP) – Midfielders Jermaine Jones and Sacha Kljestan have left the U.S. training camp and will miss Friday’s exhibition against Jamaica at Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The U.S. Soccer Federation said Monday that Jones is reporting to the LA Galaxy and Kljestan is awaiting the birth of his child.

Both started Sunday’s 0-0 tie against Serbia in San Diego, the first game for the Americans since Bruce Arena replaced Jurgen Klinsmann and started his second stint as coach.

Twenty-one players remain on the roster for Friday’s game. Europe-based players will miss the match but will return for World Cup qualifiers against Honduras on March 24 at San Jose, California, and at Panama four days later. The U.S. is trying to overcome a 0-2 start in the final round of World Cup qualifying in North and Central America and the Caribbean.