As the summer rolls around and the U.S. Men’s National Team gears up for next month’s Copa America Centenario, Hertha Berlin coach Pal Dardai has again come out and expressed his displeasure in centerback John Brooks over his plans.
The 23-year-old defender is set to miss the beginning of Berlin’s preseason due to the conflict with Copa America, followed by a three-week break the American will be taking after the tournament’s conclusion.
Brooks has been named to Jurgen Klinsmann’s initial 40-man roster ahead of the tournament and looks to be included in the final 23-man team which must be announced by May 20.
Last summer, Brooks missed a portion of the club’s preseason while with the USMNT at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Brooks started in 22 matches this past season for Hertha, however, he didn’t feature for the team until the 12th week of the Bundesliga campaign.
“The situation is a bit unfortunate,” Dardai said.
“It’s like last year, when John missed parts of the preseason because of the Gold Cup,” Dardai added. “I hope John returns in a top state, and then he’ll play. If his fitness is not that great, he won’t play. We’ve got a trusting relationship and talked about it already. He’s in the know.”
Hertha Berlin is coming off of a seventh-place finish in Bundesliga this season, which earned the club qualification to next year’s UEFA Europa League. The team will enter the competition in the third round of qualifying, which begins on July 28.
The Copa America begins on June 3, when the U.S. takes on Colombia, before Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad closes out Group A play against Costa Rica and Paraguay.
