‘Minor’ injury forces Brad Smith to leave Australia, return to Sounders early

Brad Smith will be rejoining the Seattle Sounders earlier than expected after being sent home from Australia’s national team camp with a “minor” injury. Despite the injury, Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said he expects to have Smith available in time for the June 19 match.

“It is disappointing for Brad and the Socceroos that Brad has been ruled out of this window with a minor injury,” head coach Graham Arnold said, according to MyFootball.com. “However, we believe it is in the best interests of both Brad and Seattle Sounders not to push him to make a return.

“As always, Brad has shown great commitment to the Socceroos this window and we look forward to him making a positive contribution to the team later in the year.”

The call-up had marked Smith’s first return to the Australia national team since 2019, when he started in two World Cup qualifiers. Smith had not played in the two previous qualifiers in this window, wins over Kuwait and Taiwan. They have two more games against Nepal and Jordan in this current window.