USA’s Tim Weah to miss World Cup qualifier in Canada due to vaccine issue

USA forward Timothy Weah was unable to travel to Canada for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier because he did not meet the vaccination requirements to cross the Canadian border, coach Gregg Berhalter said Saturday.

Weah, who was involved in the play that led to the only goal in Thursday’s 1-0 victory over El Salvador, has received one vaccine dose and was infected with Covid-19 before he could receive his second shot, Berhalter said.

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Weah meets the vaccination standards in France, where he plays professionally, but is unable to enter Canada, Berhalter said.

“This is something we can’t control, the nuances of the Covid protocol, and we just have to deal with it,” Berhalter said. “It will be about the next man stepping up and doing their job.”

Berhalter said the team became aware of Weah’s situation “a couple of days ago” and had hoped it could be resolved before Sunday’s game.

“This was a nuanced technicality that we were hoping was going to get pushed through and, unfortunately, it didn’t,” Berhalter said.

Berhalter also said fullback Brooks Lennon has returned to his MLS club, Atlanta United, to be “evaluated for a slight ankle injury”.

Weah’s absence means he will miss the opportunity to face off against Canadian forward Jonathan David, his teammate with Lille OSC in France. David scored Canada’s second goal in Thursday’s 2-0 win in Honduras.

“That’s my guy,” Weah said after Thursday’s game in Columbus, Ohio. “We always go at it. Most importantly, I love watching him succeed. Great guy, one of my best friends on the team. I wish nothing but success for him. Seeing what he’s been doing has really been great, and it’s pushed me to work