USA defender Chandler hurts leg in training ahead of World Cup match

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:07 p.m. ET

foxsports

SAO PAULO --

American defender Timmy Chandler did not participate in training with his United States teammates Thursday because of a leg injury the team said it considers minor.

United States team spokesman Michael Kammarman said Chandler worked out on his own and is expected to rejoin teammates Friday, when the Americans go through their last practice at Sao Paulo Futebol Clube before traveling north to Natal for their World Cup opener against Ghana next week.

Chandler has been competing with DaMarcus Beasley to start at left back.

The Americans open Monday, then play Portugal and Germany in their other first-round games.