US Men’s National Team (USMNT) head coach Mauricio Pochettino has selected 27 players for the final training camp before the summer World Cup. The squad will compete in two exciting friendlies in Atlanta. They’ll face Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on March 31.
This selection is close to the first-choice lineup, but there’s a significant absence: midfielder Tyler Adams. He missed a recent match with Bournemouth due to injury but had just returned after a torn MCL. Another player, Diego Luna from Real Salt Lake, is also absent due to a knee injury that kept him out for the beginning of the season.
Let’s take a closer look at the squad and what to expect.
Key Players
Goalkeepers:
- Chris Brady (Chicago Fire)
- Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati)
- Matt Freese (New York City FC)
- Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
This all-MLS group showcases solid talent. Freese has been a regular starter, and Turner, who started at the last World Cup, is expected to be the backup. Brady and Celentano are battling for the third spot.
Defenders:
- Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew)
- Alex Freeman (Villarreal)
- Mark McKenzie (Toulouse)
- Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)
- Chris Richards (Crystal Palace)
- Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
- Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati)
- Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
- Auston Trusty (Celtic)
With Sergiño Dest injured, the defense looks to Scally and Freeman to step up as starters. The team found success last year with a three-center-back setup, and Richards is a key player in that formation.
Midfielders:
- Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps)
- Johnny Cardoso (Atlético Madrid)
- Weston McKennie (Juventus)
- Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough)
- Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
- Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
- Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyon)
- Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen)
Adams’s injury opens doors for others like Aidan Morris, who shone in his recent games. Reyna’s return is also notable; he impressed in past matches but has struggled with injuries this year.
Forwards:
- Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United)
- Patrick Agyemang (Derby County)
- Folarin Balogun (Monaco)
- Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven)
- Christian Pulisic (Milan)
- Tim Weah (Olympique Marseille)
With Haji Wright injured, Agyemang, Balogun, and Pepi are stepping in. Pulisic has experienced ups and downs but remains crucial for USMNT’s success.
Recent Trends
The USMNT has been gaining attention as it approaches the World Cup. According to a recent survey, interest in soccer among Americans has surged. In fact, 62% of millennials now follow soccer, compared to just 45% a decade ago. This rise in popularity could be a game changer for the squad’s visibility and support.
Conclusion
The upcoming friendlies are a critical opportunity for the team to finalize their squad. With injuries affecting key players, new faces could shine and make a mark. The USMNT is poised to make an impression during the World Cup, and fans are eager to see how the squad performs.
For further insights on the squad’s preparations, check out the full details on their training base here.
