Sebastian Salazar and HerculezGomez discuss who could be selected for the 2022 World Cup squad, assuming the USMNT qualifies. (0:58).
The U.S Soccer Federation announced Wednesday that Christian Pulisic from Chelsea and Gio Reyna from Borussia Dortmund were both removed from the United States men’s national team rosters for three upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
After being suspended by Gregg Berhalter for two qualifiers last month, Weston McKennie, a Juventus midfielder, has been recalled. He had violated COVID-19 protocols.
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The 27-man roster players will report to camp on Sunday. The October window will include a match against Jamaica in Austin (Texas) on Oct. 7. Live on ESPN2 at 7.30 pm. ET), a home match against Jamaica in Austin, Texas, on October 7 (Live on ESPN2 starting at 7.30 p.m.). A second away match against Panama will be played three days later. On Oct. 13, a third match against Costa Rica will take place in Columbus, Ohio (Live on ESPN2 starting at 7 p.m.). ET
Berhalter stated, "We are thrilled to get the group together for the next round of World Cup qualifying matches." "This team is a diverse group of talent and we will need each other to navigate these three games. We are now focusing on Jamaica and getting ready to win the game.
Pulisic sustained a sprained ankle during last month's qualifier against Honduras, while Reyna sustained a hamstring injury in the match against El Salvador. Since then, neither player has played for his club.
Tyler Adams, RB Leipzig, has been able to overcome a muscle injury and is now part of the squad. Yunus Musah, a Valencia midfielder, is also included in the squad and is set to participate in his first World Cup qualifier.
Berhalter added 10 defenders to the roster after being injured in the back at the back during the last window. This includes six outside back players. Berhalter has called back Columbus Crew striker Gyasi Zades, RCD Mallorca attacker Matthew Hoppe, and D.C. United's winger Paul Arriola at forward.
Ricardo Pepi from FC Dallas, the striker who scored the winning goal in his international debut against Honduras is also part of the squad. Pepi is fourth-youngest to score in a U.S. team debut match and, with his two assists to the goal, only the second player to have at least three goals in a qualifying debut. Aldo Donelli scored four goals against Mexico in the United States’ first qualifier, May 27, 1934 in Rome, Italy.
The squad also included Joshua Sargent from Norwich City and Jordan Pefok, Young Boys.
ESPN was informed by a spokesperson for U.S. Soccer that the U.K.-based soccer players, including Antonee Robinson, Zack Steffen, and Tim Ream, won't be traveling to Panama at the moment due to its status as a red-list country. They will also need to complete a five-day quarantine period upon returning to the U.K.
The average age of the 27-player roster is 24 years and 203 days. This includes averaging 20 caps per game and 10 appearances in official competition. Treisteen players are aged 23 and younger.
The United States is tied with Canada at second place in the Octagonal Tablet, having five points from three matches. The U.S. has two home matches in the next window. This is especially important after last month's disappointing draw against Canada.
Detail Roster by Position (Club/Country, Caps/Goals).
GOALKEEPERS (3) - Sean Johnson (New York City FC, 9/0), Zack Steffen(Manchester City/ENG: 23/0), Matt Turner [New England Revolution, 10/0]
DEFENDERS (10): George Bello (Atlanta United; 4/0), John Brooks (Wolfsburg/GER; 45/3), Sergio Dest (Barcelona/ESP; 13/1), Mark McKenzie (Genk/BEL; 7/0), Shaq Moore (Tenerife/ESP; 11/1), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 46/1), Chris Richards (Hoffenheim/GER; 3/0), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 15/1), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 12/2), DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray/TUR; 67/0)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 40/2), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig/GER; 17/1), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 6/0), Luca de la Torre (Heracles/NED: 3/0), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 32/8), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 25/7), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ESP; 6/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 28/0)
FORWARDS (6): Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg/AUT; 10/5), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 8/0), Matthew Hoppe (Mallorca/ESP; 5/1), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas; 1/1), Timothy Weah (Lille/FRA; 13/1), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew; 62/14)
