Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 7y

U.S.' Bobby Wood shifts focus to Hamburg upon early return

Five of the seven Germany-based players from the United States' squad have returned to their clubs following the 2-0 win at Cuba ahead of Bundesliga matchday seven. 

The Bundesliga players -- Dortmund's Christian Pulisic, Hertha defender John Brooks, Frankfurt full-back Timothy Chandler, Gladbach midfielder Fabian Johnson and Hamburg forward Bobby Wood -- were all released and are all back in Germany.

They will miss Tuesday's friendly against New Zealand in Washington, D.C. (8 p.m. ET, ESPN/WatchESPN), for which coach Jurgen Klinsmann has added seven new players to the U.S.' 20-man squad as part of a major overhaul. 

Two Bundesliga players -- Bayern Munich forward Julian Green and RB Leipzig's Terrence Boyd -- remain with Klinsmann for the New Zealand friendly. Boyd only joined up with the national team after the Cuba match.

Speaking to kicker, Wood was delighted to shift back into club football mode prior to the important away match at Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.

"Internationals are always super and a highlight, but I feel the jet lag," Wood told the newspaper. "Passing on the second match is good. I can now fully focus on Saturday."

Gladbach, who have secured nine of their 10 points at their home Borussia Park, host Hamburg for the match.

Markus Gisdol's men, on the other hand, have yet to win a point away from home, and face another week at the bottom of the Bundesliga table.

"It's not smart to look at the standings now, the season has only just begun," Wood said.

The former Union Berlin player netted two goals in his first two top flight appearances but failed to increase his tally in the last four games.

"Two goals are not enough for me," Wood said.

The 23-year-old praised the club's former coach Bruno Labbadia, who was sacked prior to the 2-0 defeat at Hertha Berlin on matchday six.

"He gave me a lot of confidence. He promoted me and gave me a lot. I have great respect for him and I think we all have," he said.

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