Fabian Johnson Removed from USMNT Camp: Latest Details, Comments

U.S. men's national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann has sent home Fabian Johnson after the defender reportedly removed himself from the field in extra time in the side's 3-2 defeat to Mexico in the CONCACAF Cup on Saturday, according to U.S. Soccer.

Johnson left in the 111th minute and was replaced by Brad Evans with the match tied at 2-2, and Mexico’s Paul Aguilar booted the game-winner just seven minutes later. Klinsmann said Monday that Johnson’s removal wasn’t due to injury, according to ESPN FC. 

Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl tweeted on Monday that Klinsmann spoke with Johnson about his early exit.

Johnson is the only U.S. player competing in the UEFA Champions League this season, per ESPN FC, playing for Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany.

Klinsmann’s angst with Johnson comes on the heels of a sobering pair of losses on Saturday. In addition to the USMNT's defeat to Mexico, the under-23 team was also shutout by Honduras in the Olympic qualifying semifinal for next year’s Games in Rio. 

Kyle McCarthy of Fox Sports encompassed how trying the past few months have been for the Americans: "This humbling summer and dismal Saturday reinforced the need to assess how and why those problems emerge. It is the only way to march onwards and ensure such a miserable day does not unfold again any time soon."

Klinsmann's side will have to regroup quickly, though, as they take on Costa Rica in a friendly on Tuesday.