Christian Pulisic will be back in the United States team to face Mexico and Jamaica next week in World Cup qualifiers. However, Sergino Dest, Giovanni Reyna, and Sergino Reyna will not be able to play as Gregg Berhalter announced a 25-player roster on Thursday.
Dest is currently sidelined by a back injury and Reyna still has a hamstring injury he suffered back in September. However, Pulisic is well enough to have a full recovery from the ankle injury that caused him to miss October's international window. The U.S. will take on Mexico at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Nov. 12, and then travel to Kingston for the Reggae Boyz three days later.
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"Our focus is on the next game up mentality. Berhalter stated that after this window, we will be more than halfway through Octagonal. This gives us a chance of positioning ourselves well for next year. USA-Mexico is an exciting event. It's not just a game, it's an experience. This qualifies for the World Cup, and our team is up to the challenge.
This roster includes 20 players who took part in the October World Cup qualifying window. Tyler Adams and Brenden have appeared in six matches of this Octagonal. Reggie Cannon and Jesus Ferreira join the effort to reach Qatar'22.
The U.S. attack is greatly boosted by Pulisic's return. The Chelsea attacker, who had been out for two months due to an ankle injury, returned to the field this week as a substitute in Blues' 1-0 victory over Malmo FF in UEFA Champions League.
"We're going to see how many minutes he gets this weekend against Burnley." Berhalter said that he had just begun training with the team at the beginning of this week. He played against Malmo, which was surprising.
"It's all about moving him forward in a safe manner. We know that he is valuable to the team. We want him to be on the field. We aren't willing to take any chance. It all comes down to how he feels. This will determine which role he plays in these games.
John Brooks is one of the most conspicuous absentees. John Brooks, Wolfsburg's defender, was expected to be a key player at the start of qualifying but has struggled with consistency for club and country.
He was injured in his back and missed the last window, but he has been back to his club's starting line-up for its five last matches. In his place, the quartet of Genk's Mark McKenzie and Miles Robinson from Atlanta United FC, Hoffenheim's Chris Richards, Nashville SC's Walker Zimmerman are preferred.
"We watched Brooks play in the Champions League against Salzburg midweek. He played well and is now back to his best. He won't be the last national team player, but I doubt it. He'll be back, I'm certain. Berhalter said that it was all about getting back your form and performing at the highest level whenever you have the chance."
Berhalter stated that Scally was impressed by his form for Borussia Monchengladbach's Bundesliga side.
"When we see him playing against [Bayern Munich pair] Leroy Sane and Alphonso Davies, it's like he is being tested. And he's standing up for these tests. For us, it was just collecting enough information as a young player. Berhalter stated that we wanted to see him perform consistently at a high standard and that he has.
Josh Sargent, the Norwich City forward, is not included. Gyasi Zardes from Columbus Crew is also out due to a knee injury. Ricardo Pepi of FC Dallas -- who scored three goals in four U.S. games -- is preferred at the front, along with Lille's Tim Weah (and Dallas teammate Ferreira).
Six matches later, the U.S. is currently in second place, with 11 points. This is three more than El Tri and one more than Canada.
GOALKEEPERS (3) - Sean Johnson (New York City FC, 9/0), Zack Steffen(Manchester City/ENG: 24/0), Matt Turner [New England Revolution; 12/0]
DEFENDERS (9: Reggie Cannon, Boavista/POR/22/1), Mark McKenzie/GER/4/0), Antonee Robinson/Fulham/ENG/17/1), Miles Robinson/Atlanta United/14/3), Joe Scally/Borussia Monchengladbach/GER/0/0), Sam Vines/Royal Antwerp/BEL/8/1), DeAndre Yalin/Galatasaray/TUR/TUR/TUR/69/0), Walker Zimmerman
MIDFIELDERS (7): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 42/2), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig/GER; 20/1), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 7/0), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 33/8), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 27/7), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ESP; 9/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 29/0)
FORWARDS (6) : Brenden Aaronson, FC Salzburg/AUT/13/5), Paul Arriola [D.C. United] 41/8], Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas) 2/2), Ricardo Pepi (4/3), Christian Pulisic(Chelsea/ENG/40/16), Tim Weah (16/1)
