Center back Cameron Carter-Vickers has been sidelined for the remainder of Celtic’s season due to a serious Achilles injury, significantly diminishing his chances of representing the U.S. men’s national team in next summer’s home World Cup.
He sustained the injury during Celtic’s 2-1 victory over Sturm Graz in the UEFA Europa League last month, with initial recovery expectations set for March. However, interim manager Martin O’Neill confirmed on Friday that the 27-year-old would not return to play this season.
“I don’t expect to see him back anytime soon,” O’Neill said before last Saturday’s match against St Mirren. “It could be April when he starts training again. When I asked him if he thought he’d be fit for the World Cup, he expressed doubts.”
With just over six months until the USMNT’s World Cup opener, Carter-Vickers is the first member of the national squad facing the prospect of missing the tournament due to injury. His recent opportunities to prove himself had become promising, especially with head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s tactical adjustments, which led to a five-game unbeaten streak.
Although Carter-Vickers participated in friendlies against Ecuador and Australia in October, he did not play in those matches. His only appearance under Pochettino was a 90-minute stint in the 2-1 loss to Canada during the Concacaf Nations League playoff in March.
He was a part of the USMNT during the 2022 World Cup, playing the full match in their 1-0 victory over Iran in the final group stage game.
In light of Carter-Vickers’ injury, U.S. soccer fans should be concerned about the impact this could have on the team’s defensive lineup for the World Cup. Losing a key player so close to the tournament may reshape the squad dynamics and overall strategy as they strive for success on home soil.
