USMNT vs Canada: Timothy Weah will not be able to play tomorrow due to the COVID-19 vaccine

Tomorrow's USMNT vs Canada World Cup Qualifying match has been complicated for the Stars and Stripes as Timothy Weah will not be able to play because of the COVID-19 vaccine.

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And it is not that the player has refused to be vaccinated as has happened with many Premier League players, but his problem is different, always related to the vaccine.

What is the problem Timothy Weah had with the anti-COVID-19 vaccine?

According to USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, Weah did not meet the necessary vaccination requirements to enter the country, so the Canadian government did not let him into their territory. 

The problem was that Weah had received one dose of the vaccine when he became ill with COVID-19 and was unable to receive the second, Berhalter said.

Therefore, Weah will travel to Minnesota where he will wait for his teammates for the match against Honduras, a game in which he will be able to participate since the anti-COVID-19 restrictions in that country are not so drastic. 

The player currently plays for Lille O.S.C. in France and in that country, he does comply with the vaccination requirements requested by the government. 

On this issue, the coach said, "It's something we can't control, the different nuances of the protocol for COVID, and we'll have to accept that."

Berhalter concluded, "It means the next guy will have to step up and do what's necessary."

How much will the USMNT resent the lack of Tim Weah?

The USMNT striker has been a major factor in the World Cup qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. For example, he played an active role in the goal with which the Stars and Stripes sealed El Salvador's fate. 

The North American squad indeed has several elements that can replace Weah on the field, but there is no doubt that missing an element of his tactical scheme is a challenge for Gregg Berhalter. 

Due to this Canadian government restriction, the USMNT will be without Weah's speed, physical power, and strength, and without his presence on the field, the team will be without a very intelligent player who always knows where to position himself in the box.

Because of the position in which the Ligue 1 Lille striker plays, Berhalter could turn to Paul Arriola of FC Dallas to cover his position. 

Another more complicated option, but one that could still work for the Stars and Stripes coach, would be to try to put Christian Pulisic in that position while moving Brenden Aaronson to the position normally occupied by Pulisic. 

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Timothy Weah's absence is not Berhalter's first problem due to COVID-19

Just days before the start of the World Cup Qualifiers Gregg Berhalter had announced that the USMNT was without FC Venezia's Gianluca Busio because he tested positive for the virus. 

At the time, Berhalter assured that this situation had been taken into account and that was why he had called up so many players in the squad, in order to prepare for possible casualties due to the virus. 

So now is the time to prove his hypothesis is valid due to Weah's absence.