USMNT's Johnny Cardoso sustains ankle sprain in Atletico Madrid training

AlavésAthletic ClubAtlético MadridBarcelonaCelta de VigoElcheEspanyolGetafeGironaLevanteMallorcaOsasunaRayo VallecanoReal BetisReal MadridReal OviedoReal SociedadSevillaValenciaVillarrealPodcastsCopa del ReyUSMNT’s Johnny Cardoso sustains ankle sprain in Atletico Madrid trainingCardoso has only made one USMNT appearance this season Angel Martinez/Getty Images Share articleUSMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso has sustained a high ankle sprain in Atletico Madrid training. The 24-year-old sustained the injury this week after Atletico’s loss to Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals. His appearance in the first leg made him only the fourth American national team member to feature at that stage of Europe’s premier club competition — after DeMarcus Beasley, Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic. Cardoso has made 30 appearances in all competitions this season in his first campaign since signing from Real Betis, scoring once in the Champions League. He has 23 caps for the USMNT but has only appeared once since last year’s Gold Cup, where he amassed 11 minutes on the pitch, in a March friendly against Belgium. Following his planned 45 minutes against Rudi Garcia’s side, he returned to Atletico due to discomfort in his leg. Analysis by senior soccer writer Henry Bushnell  Cardoso’s injury, in some ways, is a continuation of an unfortunate pattern: he has never been a reliable national team player. Despite his obvious ability, even as he ascended from Internacional to Betis to Atleti, inconsistent performances and, yes, injuries have prevented him from establishing himself with the U.S. The ankle sprain is yet another hinderance. After 45 solid minutes against Belgium in March, Cardoso was a strong contender to at least make the World Cup squad, perhaps as the top backup to Tyler Adams and Tanner Tessmann in midfield. And he still could be. But now, with the squad set to be named in less than three weeks on May 26, his inclusion is very much in question. Without him, the depth of talent at that central midfield position would suffer. The other likely reserves are Cristian Roldan and Sebastian Berhalter — two MLS players with great character but obvious ceilings. At the same time, though, Cardoso wouldn’t feel like a major loss because he has never really shown Pochettino and teammates what they would be missing. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms