USMNT Faces Challenges Ahead of Gold Cup
If the US men’s national soccer team aims to secure its first Concacaf Gold Cup title since 2021 this summer, they will need to navigate their campaign without some key players. On Thursday, coach Mauricio Pochettino revealed a 27-player training camp roster in preparation for the Biennial Regional Championship slated for early June, but several regulars will be absent.
Reports from Fox Sports indicate that star forward Christian Pulisic will miss the tournament after enduring two taxing seasons with Italian club AC Milan. Additionally, Weston McKennie and Tim Weah are unavailable due to Juventus’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, akin to what Geo Reyna is facing with Borussia Dortmund.
In a statement regarding Pulisic, US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker explained that the player and his team opted for a break after intense schedules at both club and international levels. Following thorough discussions, it was decided that resting now would best prepare him for next season’s demands.
Pochettino emphasized the primary focus on the World Cup during a Zoom meeting with reporters shortly after announcing the roster. "We gauge what’s best for Christian, and it’s a decision made with the national team’s future in mind," he said.
Notably, Antony "Jedi" Robinson, the US Football Male Athlete of the Year in 2024, is also missing due to lingering minor injuries. Yunus Musa initially planned to join the USMNT but withdrew for personal reasons. Several players, including Joe Scally, Josh Sargent, and Tanner Tessmann, contributed to their recent Nations League campaign but are now awaiting final roster cuts by June 4.
Despite these absences, Pochettino is focusing on the available squad, which includes veterans from the 2022 World Cup like Brenden Aaronson, Sergiño Dest, Matt Turner, Haji Wright, and center-back Chris Richards. Dest is finally participating in his first camp under the new Argentine coach, and Folarin Balogun is looking to rebound after missing much of the Monaco season due to shoulder surgery.
Pochettino expressed enthusiasm for the diversity of players joining the camp, noting it as a valuable opportunity for them to compete for spots ahead of the World Cup next year.
USMNT is scheduled to play European opponents Türkiye and Switzerland on June 7 and 10 respectively.
Here’s the complete roster for the training camp:
Goalkeepers: Matt Freeze (New York City FC), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Zach Steffen (Colorado Rapids), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)
Defenders: Max Alfsten (Columbus), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Orlando), DeJuan Jones (San Jose Earthquakes), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati)
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Lletget (Vancouver), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Luca de la Torre (San Diego), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo), Quin Sullivan (Philadelphia Union), Malik Tillman (PSV), Sean Zawaziki (Columbus)
Forwards: Patrick Agyeman (Charlotte), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Damion Downs (Cologne), Brian White (Vancouver), Haji Wright (Coventry)
Doug McIntyre is a soccer journalist for Fox Sports, covering both the US Men’s and Women’s national teams across five continents. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.
Fan Take
This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it highlights the ongoing challenges and depth concerns for the USMNT, impacting their Gold Cup aspirations. As fans look ahead, the absence of key players underscores the importance of cultivating younger talent and teamwork in preparation for future international competitions.
