American Exports: Calf tear with Borussia M'gladbach likely rules Fabian Johnson out of USMNT friendlies

AMSTERDAM – Borussia Mönchengladbach are not yet sure how long the calf muscle tear suffered by winger Fabian Johnson this past weekend will keep him out of action, but he is expected back no sooner than early next month.

The US international was injured during his shift in Saturday's rough 4-0 Bundesliga opening day loss at Borussia Dortmund. Johnson underwent an exam on Tuesday, with the club left holding a wait-and-see stance on his recovery period.

"We cannot say exactly how long he will be out of training," a 'Gladbach spokesman told MLSsoccer.com late Tuesday afternoon. "It will be at least two weeks."

The tentative timetable means the attacker is slated to miss Sunday's home clash with Mainz 05 and an Aug. 30 trip to face Aron Jóhannsson and Werder Bremen. The Foals will then have a two-week international break, when the US national team will likely be forced to go without Johnson in stateside friendlies against Peru and Brazil.

Borussia Mönchengladbach will then return to league action with a September 11 visit from Hamburg. Johnson is also now in doubt for the beginning of Champions League group stage play, which kicks off the following week.