USMNT’s Tim Weah is facing a potential setback as he could miss the initial matches of the Mauricio Pochettino era.
The experienced forward for the U.S. men’s national team sustained a hamstring injury during the first half of Juventus’ season-opening 3-0 victory against Como in Turin on Monday. Just moments before being substituted at halftime, the 24-year-old from Brooklyn celebrated scoring his first goal in Serie A.
On Tuesday, the famed Italian club, with a record 36 league titles, announced that Weah had suffered “a low-grade hamstring injury in his right thigh” and will undergo further examination in about 10 days.
This timeline suggests that Weah may return to action by August 30, just two days prior to Juventus’ match against Roma at Allianz Stadium. Meanwhile, USMNT players set to compete in friendlies against Canada and New Zealand will report to Kansas City beginning September 1. The team will face Canada on September 7 and then travel to Cincinnati for a match against New Zealand on September 10.
Mauricio Pochettino, the former manager of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, is anticipated to be officially introduced as the new coach of the USMNT before these matches, although he is unlikely to be on the sidelines for them.
[Related: USMNT closing in on a deal to hire Mauricio Pochettino as coach]
Weah, who is the son of George Weah, a former Ballon d’Or winner, has earned 41 caps for the U.S. since his debut in 2018. Among his six international goals is the first scored by the Americans at the 2022 World Cup.
Joining Juventus last season after a successful four-year stint at Lille in France, Weah has also played for PSG and Celtic in Scotland. Despite making 30 Serie A appearances last year without scoring, he did net a stunning goal during the Coppa Italia round of 16 against Salernitana, contributing to Juventus’ title run.