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SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — An already banged-up U.S. soccer team lost four more players heading into Tuesday's World Cup qualifier at Panama, including two starters from Friday night's 6-0 victory against Honduras.
Midfielder Sebastian Lletget, defenders John Brooks and Michael Orozco, and forward Jordan Morris were dropped by U.S. coach Bruce Arena, who added midfielder Paul Arriola on Saturday.
The U.S. already was without defender DeAndre Yedlin, midfielder Fabian Johnson and forward Bobby Wood.
"Unfortunate series of injuries and illnesses, and that's all part of it," Arena said after a light training session on the practice field outside Avaya Stadium.
Midfielder Jermaine Jones returns after serving a one-game suspension Friday for yellow-card accumulation. After an 0-2 start that led the U.S. Soccer Federation to fire coach Jurgen Klinsmann and bring back Arena, the Americans could move back into one of the three qualifying positions with a win Tuesday.
"Both teams will certainly have a little bit of a fatigue issue going into Tuesday's game and in Jermaine we've got potentially a fresh, experienced player to come on the field," Arena said.
Lletget put the U.S. ahead in the fifth minute with his first international goal, and then exited after his left foot was hurt during a slide tackle by Ever Alvarado that earned the Honduran defender a yellow card in the 15th minute. Lletget will be evaluated in Los Angeles, where he plays for the Galaxy.
Brooks, a regular for Hertha Berlin, left on a stretcher in the 70th minute because of a sinus infection and was given blood tests.
"He wasn't doing too well today," Arena said. "It would be difficult to put him on a flight to Panama and then if he's not doing well send him back to Germany."
Morris has a right ankle injury, but Arena hopes he will be able to play for Seattle next Friday. Orozco's right knee is bothering him.
Notes: About half of the U.S. team planned to attend the NCAA West Regional final between Gonzaga and Xavier before a red-eye flight to Panama. ... Paying tribute to "Hamilton," fans unfurled a huge red-white-and-blue banner Friday night that read: "NOT THROWING AWAY OUR SHOT." The USSF tweeted an image, which was retweeted by "Hamilton" composer Lin-Manuel Miranda: https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/845549389833650176
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