The 26-player roster of the U.S. men’s national team includes Christian Pulisic from Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna, and Weston McKennie from Juventus. This is ahead of three World Cup qualifiers.
Pulisic was doubtful that he would be called up following his COVID-19 diagnosis. However, he has been sufficiently healthy to be included on the roster for World Cup qualifiers at El Salvador on September 2, at home against Canada in Nashville three day later and away from Honduras on September 8.
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The game-day rosters are still at 23 players. However, Gregg Berhalter, U.S. manager, was forced to add reinforcements due to the fact that there were three games in the window. On Sunday, players will report to Nashville camp.
The group is lacking experience in World Cup qualifying. Only six of the players called have ever played in a qualifier. However, the current crop has excelled at club level.
Ten players have been selected by clubs to participate in the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League group stage. They are: Brenden Aaronson, FC Salzburg; Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig); John Brooks (VfL Wolfsburg); Sergino Dest(Barcelona); McKennie (Juventus); Jordan Pefok [BSC Young Boys], Pulisic (Chelsea], Reyna (“Borussia Dortmund”), Zack Steffen “Manchester City,” Timothy Weah (“Lille);
Ricardo Pepi, FC Dallas forward, is one notable callup. Pepi, a dual national who can still play for Mexico, has been a strong addition to the U.S. team this season. He's scored nine goals in Dallas and gives Berhalter more depth in a position he had difficulty filling. Pepi scored Wednesday's game-winning penalty at the MLS All-Star Game.
Pepi stated that he is a Mexican-American and was proud of his heritage. It's something I will never lose, regardless of what national team it is. This decision was made because I felt that the USA trusted me. I believe this is due to Gregg Berhalter, [USMNT head coach] and how he stressed this to me.
"I had great talks with Gregg. I believe I can make an impression with the USA, and help this team do something special now as well as in the future."
Although there were not many surprises, injuries to players like Daryl Dike from Orlando City, Gyasi Zardes of Columbus Crew, and Yunus Musah, a Valencia midfielder, limited Berhalter's options. The U.S. team won the 2021 Gold Cup despite having a young and inexperienced roster. The roster included 24 players who participated in the Gold Cup and Concacaf Nations League. The U.S. won the latter.
Eight teams will compete this time, unlike previous rounds in which six teams were able to qualify for the final round. Each team will be playing 14 matches in a round-robin format, at home and away.
A process that normally takes 18 months to complete has been shortened to seven by the global pandemic.
The condensed schedule also includes four "triple dates", which are three matches played in a seven-day period. Canada, Costa Rica and El Salvador were also in the final round.
Detail Roster by Position (Club/Country, Caps/Goals).
GOALKEEPERS (3): Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 7/0), Zack Steffen (Manchester City/ENG; 23/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 7/0)
DEFENDERS (10): George Bello (Atlanta United; 3/0), John Brooks (Wolfsburg/GER; 43/3), Sergio Dest (Barcelona/ESP; 11/1), Mark McKenzie (Genk/BEL; 6/0), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 45/1), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 12/0), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 9/3), James Sands (New York City FC; 6/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray/TUR; 64/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 17/2)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 37/2), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig/GER; 14/1), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 29/7), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 24/7), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 25/0)
FORWARDS (8): Brenden Aaronson (RB Salzburg/AUT; 7/3), Konrad de la Fuente (Olympique Marseille/FRA; 1/0), Jordan Pefok (BSC Young Boys/SUI; 6/1), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas; 0/0), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 38/16), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 8/4), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/ENG; 16/5), Tim Weah (Lille/FRA; 13/1)
