Christian Pulisic back in USMNT to face Mexico, Jamaica; Sergino Dest, Giovanni Reyna out
Christian Pulisic is back on the US squad to play Mexico and Jamaica in World Cup qualifiers next week, but Sergino Dest and Giovanni Reyna are expected to be absent as manager Gregg Berhalter named a 25-player roster on Thursday.
Dest is out with a back injury and Reyna still suffers from an Achilles tendon disease he contracted in September, but Pulisic has made ample recovery from an ankle injury that forced him to miss the international window in October. The US will meet Mexico at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati on November 12 and travel to Kingston four days later to play the reggae boyz.
– Don’t you have ESPN? Get instant access
– ESPN + viewer guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more
“Our focus is still on the mentality of the next game. After this time window we have more than half of the octagon behind us, so we have a chance to position ourselves well for the next year,” said Berhalter. “When it comes to USA-Mexico, I’m happy for our players because it’s not just a game, it’s an event. This is the best World Cup qualification and our group is ready for the challenge.”
The roster includes 20 players who entered the October World Cup qualifying window, with Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson appearing in all six games of the Octagonal so far. Reggie Cannon, Jesús Ferreira, Sam Vines and first-time called Joe Scally join forces in efforts to reach Qatar ’22.
Pulisic’s return gives the US attack a significant boost. After missing most of two months with an ankle disease, the Chelsea striker returned to the field as a substitute in the Blues 1-0 UEFA Champions League win against Malmo earlier this week.
Among the noticeable absentee is John Brooks. The Wolfsburg defender was considered a supporting pillar at the beginning of the qualification, but was plagued by disagreements for club and country this season.
He missed the last window with a back injury but has returned to the club’s starting XI in the last five games. The quartet of Genks Mark McKenzie, Atlanta United’s Miles Robinson, Hoffenheim’s Chris Richards and Nashville SC’s Walker Zimmerman is preferred in his place.
Norwich City striker Josh Sargent is also absent, as is Gyasi Zardes of the Columbus Crew, who is out with a knee injury. FC Dallas’s Ricardo Pepi, who scored three goals in his first four US games, is preferred on offense along with Tim Weah of Lille and Dallas teammate Jesus Ferreira.
In six games the USA are currently in second place with 11 points, three behind El Tri and one ahead of Canada.
GOALKEEPER (3): Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 9/0), Zack Steffen (Manchester City / ENG; 24/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 12/0)
DEFENDER (9): Reggie Cannon (Boavista / POR; 22/1), Mark McKenzie (Genk), Chris Richards (Hoffenheim / GER; 4/0), Antonee Robinson (Fulham / ENG; 17/1), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 14 / 3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach / GER; 0/0), Sam Vines (Royal Antwerp / BEL; 8/1), DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray / TUR; 69/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 20/2 )
MIDFIELD PLAYER (7): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 42/2), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig / GER; 20/1), Gianluca Busio (Venice / 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; 29/0)
FORWARD (6): Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg / AUT; 13/5), Paul Arriola (DC United; 41/8), Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas; 2/2), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas; 4/3), Christian Pulisic ( Chelsea / ENG; 40/16), Tim Weah (Lille / FRA; 16/1)
[ad_1]
