USMNT’s James Sands Suffers Devastating Ankle Injury, Faces Lengthy Layoff

The United States men’s national team and St. Pauli have been dealt a major blow as James Sands faces an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a severe right ankle injury and a broken fibula during Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Freiburg in the Bundesliga.

Sands, who joined St. Pauli on loan from New York City FC in January, had to be helped off the field in stoppage time before being rushed to a local hospital. The club later confirmed that the midfielder underwent surgery at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf and is out indefinitely.

“It really hits me to the core,” said St. Pauli head coach Alexander Blessin. “He was very strong in challenges and helped Jackson Irvine thrive beside him. That’s why this hurts very much.”
Sands had quickly become a key figure in St. Pauli’s midfield, making his fifth consecutive start in just his seventh appearance for the newly promoted club. His injury is a huge setback, especially as he was eyeing a return to the USMNT setup ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He will now miss the Concacaf Nations League finals in March, where the US will face Panama in the semifinals.

New York City FC expressed their support, stating: “Everyone at the club wishes James all the best in his recovery.”

For St. Pauli, Sands’ absence adds to an already concerning injury list that includes Connor Metcalfe, Robert Wagner, Elias Saad, Karol Mets, and Morgan Guilavogui, leaving the club with an uphill battle in their fight for Bundesliga survival