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3mo ago

USMNT's James Sands Faces Indefinite Recovery After Severe Ankle Injury

The 24-year-old midfielder suffered a complex ankle injury, including a fractured fibula and torn ligament, during a Bundesliga match for St. Pauli.

Sep 21, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC midfielder James Sands (6) walks on the field after the game against Inter Miami CF at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images/File Photo
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Overview

  • James Sands, on loan to German club St. Pauli from NYCFC, sustained a serious ankle injury during stoppage time in a 1-0 loss to Freiburg.
  • The injury involved a fractured fibula, a torn medial collateral ligament, and other complications, requiring surgery in Hamburg, Germany.
  • St. Pauli coach Alexander Blessin described the injury as devastating, emphasizing Sands' importance to the team since joining in January.
  • Sands has been ruled out of the upcoming Concacaf Nations League finals and faces an uncertain timeline for recovery.
  • The 24-year-old midfielder had hoped his move to Europe would bolster his chances of earning a spot on the USMNT roster for the 2026 World Cup.