American forward Johannsson sidelined after surgery

BREMEN, Germany (AP) Werder Bremen says American forward Aron Johannsson has undergone surgery on a hip problem, an injury that likely will force him to miss the Americans' opening World Cup qualifiers next month.

Johannsson has been out since the end of September with a nerve problem in his right hip. He had the surgery in Berlin and will return to Bremen in the coming days to begin his rehab. The club said he will be sidelined for several weeks.

Bremen's team physician Dr. Philip Heitmann says ''conservative methods'' (of healing) could not get rid of the pain.

Johannsson joined Bremen at the start of the season and has scored two goals in six appearances for the Bundesliga club.

The U.S. opens World Cup qualifying against St. Vincent and the Grenadines at St. Louis on Nov. 13 and plays four days later at Trinidad and Tobago.