USMNT’s Pefok Due to Return After Leg Injury Scare

BERLIN (AP) — Union Berlin coach Urs Fischer says Jordan Pefok’s leg injury is only a “charley horse” and that the American forward should be available to play again on Sunday.

Pefok limped off in the second half of Union’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, when the extent of his injury was unclear.

Fischer said Tuesday ahead of his team’s German Cup game against Heidenheim the next day that Pefok’s injury is not a bad one, but he’d rather leave him out of the cup game to ensure he’s available for the next league match Sunday at Bochum.

“We’re confident that he’ll be fine for Sunday,” Fischer said.

Pefok, whose full name is Theoson-Jordan Siebatcheu, has enjoyed a great start to his debut season at Union since transferring from Swiss team Young Boys. The 26-year-old French-speaking forward has scored three goals and set up three more in nine Bundesliga appearances, while he also scored in Union’s opening win in the German Cup against Chemnitzer FC.

He set up Union’s second goal in its win over Dortmund on Sunday, a victory that preserved the team’s surprise league lead after 10 rounds. Union is four points ahead of 10-time defending champion Bayern Munich.

Pefok has one goal in nine appearances for the United States but wasn’t called up for the team’s World Cup warm-ups. Coach Gregg Berhalter is due to announce his World Cup roster on Nov. 9.

“Who doesn’t hope to play at the World Cup when his country is qualified?” Pefok asked last month.