Skip to content

Kljestan, Jones exit USMNT camp ahead of Jamaica test

Jake Roth / Reuters

Chicago - United States men's national team midfielders Sacha Kljestan and Jermaine Jones were sent home from the team's training camp a day after the Americans' goalless draw with Serbia, USMNT coach Bruce Arena announced Monday.

Their departure leaves 21 players from Major League Soccer for Arena's lineup in the squad's camp-ending Friday friendly against Jamaica in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Sunday's match at San Diego marked Arena's return to the USMNT sideline after the firing of German legend Jurgen Klinsmann following two defeats to open the final round of 2018 World Cup qualifying in CONCACAF.

Arena, 65, had guided the Americans into the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals but was not retained after 2006 following a first-round World Cup exit.

Kljestan was allowed to leave because his wife is expecting a baby in the next week.

Jones will be suspended for the next USMNT qualifying match on March 24 against Honduras in San Jose, California, so Arena allowed him to return to the Los Angeles Galaxy - Arena's employer until his USMNT return - and prepare for the upcoming MLS campaign.

No European-based USMNT players were called upon for the training session because of the ongoing club campaigns overseas while MLS does not begin a new season until March.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox