Oguchi Onyewu nears Milan, U.S. return

Friday, 19 February 10, 10:07 AM · Comments (1)

While the jury is out on whether or not Charlie Davies will make the World Cup roster, Oguchi Onyewu is almost certainly a lock.

Back in October, Onyewu suffered a serious knee injury that looked like it might keep the hulking central defender out of the World Cup. News this week from Carson, Calif., was promising, as the AC Milan defender trained with the in-camp U.S. roster.

It's been a little more than four months since my last interaction in a group," Onyewu told ussoccer.com. "It felt good to be part of a team again instead of doing all my exercises and all my rehab on my own. It was a big milestone in terms of my comeback, in terms of my recuperation."

Onyewu's progress is a positive sign for U.S. fans, and there is little doubt that he'll make the World Cup roster. However, the bigger question will be whether or not if he'll be in form.

Prior to his knee injury, Onyewu's playing time for Milan had been scarce. It doesn't bode well for the defender to return to his club and ride the bench in the month or two of health he has prior to the trip to South Africa.

As big of a question as that is, because of the lack of talent in the center of the U.S. defense, an 80% fit and game ready Onyewu might be a better option than a Jay DeMerit-Carlos Bocanegra back line with Jonathan Bornstein on the left.

The path is yet to be complete, however, and a set back could see the former Clemson player left out of the World Cup altogether.

Getting back on the field, even for training, is a giant step after his October injury. At what level he can perform in June, will go a long way in determining U.S. World Cup success.

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