Weston McKennie leaves USMNT camp, expected to miss several weeks

United States men’s national team midfielder Weston McKennie “is expected to miss several weeks” after being diagnosed with what U.S. Soccer called “a moderate to high degree left ankle sprain,” according to an update provided by a spokesman.

McKennie departed USMNT camp on Monday and returned to Germany, where he plays for Bundesliga side Schalke. The 20-year-old Texan was injured in the second half of last Thursday’s 1-0 friendly win over Ecuador in Orlando, Florida. Replays showed that he severely rolled the ankle after being low-bridged by Ecuador’s Carlos Gruezo and landing awkwardly.

McKennie visited a foot and ankle specialist over the weekend in Houston, where the Americans, minus the FC Dallas academy product, will take on two-time defending Copa America champion Chile in another exhibition on Tuesday. No broken bones were discovered.

Schalke said pretty much the same on its Twitter feed:

McKennie had started eight consecutive matches for Schalke, including both of its games against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League round of 16. He’s made 19 Bundesliga appearances in all, missing time with minor leg injuries (one of them also suffered while on international duty) during the first half of the season.

For the U.S., McKennie has played eight times at senior level since his debut against Portugal in late 2017. USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter will be hoping McKennie is fully recovered by May, with training camp for this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup kicking off at the end of that month.

Doug McIntyre covers soccer for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.

More from Yahoo Sports:

• The touching act that makes Coach K special

• Martin: NFL losing more than just a player in Gronk

• Why did an NCAA star ask his coach to bench him?

• Forde: Why Duke's survival may be only temporary