USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has admitted that it is "an absolute bummer" that Brek Shea failed to secure a move away from Stoke City during the summer transfer window.
The winger arrived in the Premier League last year, but he has struggled to establish himself at the Britannia Stadium and spent part of last season on loan with Barnsley in the Championship.
It was expected that the 24-year-old would be transferred elsewhere during the pre-season break, but a switch never materialised.
Klinsmann has still included Shea in his squad for tonight's friendly against the Czech Republic, but he has conceded that it is a "bad" situation for the Texas-born player.
"It's an absolute bummer - he's stuck at Stoke. It's bad," the USA boss told reporters.
Shea has been capped on 26 occasions at international level.