:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53770169/usa-today-9846768.0.jpg)
The New York Red Bulls will have a representative on the United States men's national soccer team next later this week when they take on Honduras and Panama: Red Bulls captain Sacha Kljestan.
In a news release on Sunday, March 19, US Soccer announced that Kljestan was being added to the 25-man roster, as would Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler.
NEWS: @MattBesler and @SachaKljestan have been added to the #USMNT's World Cup Qualifying roster: https://t.co/kGce8C5An5 pic.twitter.com/xsWsCalIYF
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) March 19, 2017
The Red Bulls would confirm the news via their Twitter account within minutes of the announcement.
Sacha Kljestan called in to #USMNT ➡️ https://t.co/T9QHrPZPZT #RBNY pic.twitter.com/JxubIovkjy
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) March 19, 2017
Unfortunately for the Stars and Stripes, Kljestan's call came as a result of a back injury to star striker Bobby Wood, leaving the US with only three forwards (Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Jordan Morris) for the home World Cup qualifying match against Honduras on Friday, March 24, and the away match against Panama on Monday, March 27.
Kljestan has been added as an injury replacement for Bobby Wood (back), while Besler joins camp to bolster the #USMNT defense.
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) March 19, 2017
Whether or not Kljestan will be added to the matchday 18-man roster, let alone the starting XI remains to be seen.
As for the New York Red Bulls, his addition to squad ensures that he will be unavailable when the Red Bulls take on Real Salt Lake on Saturday, March 25.
Kljestan was last capped in a friendly against Serbia earlier this year, starting and playing a half before being subbed off and leaving camp to be present for the birth of his second child.