Culture Axis: New Preds, Messi answers 'Stoke' question & more

Flimsy Liverpool risk letting down Messi-like Salah in title race

The Curious Case of Marcelo

Man Utd three-peat or MLS? Pogba's transfer options - ranked

UCL Power Rankings: Barca No.1 after lucky draw as Liverpool fall

Editors' Picks

Walker’s wife Kilner jets to Dubai for night out with Rooney

'I regret leaving Barca' - Former wonderkid admits mistake after Camp Nou exit

Antony's hot Betis start is over as Barca flop Roque sees red

Bompastor admits 'lying for 13 years' over secret relationship

UCL last-16 draw: Liverpool land PSG, Arsenal face PSV

How to watch Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 from anywhere

Maguire, you lucky boy! VAR & Bruno save despairing Amorim

Title race run? Lewis-Skelly red card madness costs Arsenal

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>James Sands required surgery for serious leg injury</li><li>Hurt late in St Pauli's Bundesliga fixture with Freiburg</li><li>Adds to growing list of USMNT injury woes</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

USMNT midfielder James Sands has leg operation, out indefinitely after injury in St Pauli's Bundesliga fixture with Freiburg

<p>James Sands has undergone surgery to fix a complex injury to his right lower leg, NYCFC announced. The injury occurred during the latter stages of St. Pauli's clash with Freiburg Saturday, with the American - on a six-month loan from NYCFC - taken to a local hospital after what manager Alexander Blessin described as a "pretty bad" knock.</p><p>Neither club has issued a timeline for his return.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/james-sands-st-pauli-bundesliga-usmnt-nycfc-mls-germany/blt2ab3712ca3a0b78c" target="_blank">Sands' recent form</a> had him in conversations for USMNT time. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/usmnt-psv-midfielder-malik-tillman-ankle-surgery/blt32302438e8badfbf" target="_blank">With Malik Tillman injured</a>, Tanner Tessmann struggling for form and Johnny Cardoso in and out of the lineup for Real Betis, there would seem to be scope for Sands to make an appearance for Mauricio Pochettino's side.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p><a href="https://x.com/newyorkcityfc/status/1891126516869664848" target="_blank">NYCFC issued a statement on the injury</a>: "James Sands has undergone surgery to repair a complex ankle injury involving a fractured fibula and torn medial collateral ligament. Sands sustained the injury shortly before the final whistle of FC St. Pauli’s match against SC Freiburg. The midfielder underwent surgery at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf in Hamburg, Germany and will be out indefinitely. Everyone at the club wishes you all the best in your recovery, Jimmy. NYC is with you."</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">James Sands has undergone surgery to repair a complex ankle injury involving a fractured fibula and torn medial collateral ligament.<br><br>Sands sustained the injury shortly before the final whistle of FC St. Pauli’s match against SC Freiburg. The midfielder underwent surgery at the… <a href="https://t.co/B2XPeUB90P">pic.twitter.com/B2XPeUB90P</a></p>— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) <a href="https://twitter.com/newyorkcityfc/status/1891126516869664848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



WHAT NYCFC SAID

<p>The USMNT midfielder will likely face a long rehabilitation, with no apparent timeline for his return. It seems very unlikely he will be back this season, while any participation at the Gold Cup in July appears to be under threat.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR SANDS?

USMNT midfielder James Sands out indefinitely after undergoing leg surgery | Goal.com

The former NYCFC midfielder is facing an extended spell on the sidelines after a procedure to fix a torn MCL and a fractured fibula