The U.S. men’s national team have released their official roster for their set of Sept. friendlies, with quite a few important takeaways.
It’s time for a new chapter in the USMNT after a lackluster summer across all men’s national teams, with the senior squad getting grouped in their hosting of the 2024 Copa America — resulting in the sacking of former head coach Gregg Berhalter.
This will see the USA head into their first set of international friendlies with interim head coach, Mikey Vargas, who has, called-up a pretty interesting pool of players ahead of their matchups against Canada and New Zealand on Sept. 7 and Sept. 10 respectively.
Spoiler warning: There’s no MLS players (basically).
3 key takeaways from the USMNT release of 24-player roster for Sept. friendlies
The USMNT’s 24-player roster sees the absence of a handful of national team veterans (many due to injury) and the inclusion of plenty of promising prospects in about almost every position.
Full USMNT September-friendlies roster:
GOALKEEPERS (4): Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City/WAL; 9/0), Diego Kochen (FC Barcelona II/ESP; 0/0), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 1/0), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/ENG; 44/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO; 2/0), Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege/BEL; 0/0), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo/ITA; 3/0), Mark McKenzie (Tolouse/FRA; 13/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 61/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 21/1), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 11/0), Caleb Wiley (Strasbourg/FRA; 2/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/ESP; 15/0), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo/ESP; 22/0), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough/ENG; 5/0), Yunus Musah (AC Milan; ITA; 39/0), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 31/8), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 12/0)
FORWARDS (6): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 42/8), Folarin Balogun (Monaco/FRA; 15/5), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 28/10), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 71/30), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/ENG; 25/5), Haji Wright (Coventry City/ENG; 11/4)
1. McKennie, Robinson, Adams, Weah and more missing: Why?
The roster release saw the absences of players such as Weston McKennie, 'Jedi' Robinson, Tyler Adams and new Lyon signing Tanner Tessmann — with many fans asking why they weren’t included.
McKennie and Tessmann have reportedly been left out after having missed preseason with their clubs amidst their contract and new club situations. Robinson has been left out following a plethora of national team appearances, with the left-back ‘taking a break’ from international duty.
Adams is out injured after getting surgery on his back at the end of the Copa America. Weah also picked up an injury with Juventus.
2. New faces: Kochen, Morris, Trusty and Wiley
Fans will most likely get to see new faces at some point in the set of friendlies.
Diego Kochen, 18-year-old goalkeeper for FC Barcelona, is called-up as the fourth goalkeeper but will most likely not see any minutes.
Other outfield players such as Aidan Morris (new Middlesbrough signing), Auston Trusty (new Celtic signing) and Caleb Wiley (new Chelsea signing; loaned to RC Strasbourg) will get the opportunity to fight for a place in the permanent squad with many of the prominent absences.
3. Two MLS players: a sign of Gregg’s departure?
The new roster saw the exclusion of all MLS players but U.S. veteran center back Tim Ream who made the move from Fulham to MLS with Charlotte FC this summer and Columbus Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.
This was something that was a rarity under the tenure of Gregg Berhalter, as we continuously saw local players make the former manager’s lists across all competitions and international friendlies.
This means the USMNT will most likely line up a squad fully of players in Europe at some point in the set of friendlies and when Ream is not on the pitch.
