USMNT drops Sept. roster as Pochettino rent looms

AC Milan ahead Christian Pulisic, AS Monaco ahead Folarin Balogun and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Giovanni Reyna headline the 24-player United States roster that may play a pair of upcoming friendlies towards Canada and New Zealand.

The U.S. will sq. off towards Canada, which is managed by former U.S. assistant coach Jesse Marsch, at Youngsters’s Mercy Park in Kansas Metropolis, Kansas, on Sept. 7. The Individuals then face the All Whites at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium three days later.

Whereas the hiring of Mauricio Pochettino as USMNT supervisor is predicted to occur any day now, the staff can be managed by Mikey Varas on an interim foundation during the window, which has been the U.S. Soccer Federation’s plan for weeks.

Varas, 39, served as assistant coach beneath earlier supervisor Gregg Berhalter, who was fired following the USMNT’s poor efficiency on the Copa América, the place the staff did not advance previous the group stage.

Varas is reportedly in superior negotiations to change into the primary supervisor of MLS enlargement aspect San Diego FC. The futures on the remaining workers members are a part of the discussions for hiring a brand new supervisor.

“The chance is as soon as in a lifetime,” mentioned Varas. “Anytime you get to characterize your nation, it’s a must to cherish that second. On the finish of the day although, it is greater than a chance. It is also a large accountability, and we’re dedicated to creating certain we’ve this group to indicate everybody who we’re as a staff.”

The present teaching workers now contains Nico Estevez, who rejoined the workers this summer season after working as an assistant from 2019-21. Jack Robinson, the previous goalkeeper coach of English Premier League aspect Liverpool who has been appointed head of goalkeeping for U.S. Soccer, will work with the goalies for this camp. 

Varas added: “We have now an opportunity in these subsequent two video games to essentially present what we’re about as a staff. Our focus is on bringing a profitable mentality and an aggressive method so we are able to proceed to maneuver this system ahead and set ourselves up for an awesome transition. It is an unbelievable honor to have this chance.”

The roster comprises loads of acquainted faces, containing 18 gamers who have been additionally on the Copa América roster. However there are additionally some notable absences. Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie began coaching in solely the third week of August, and continues to be in preseason mode. The identical is true of Tanner Tessmann, who lately accomplished a transfer to Ligue 1 aspect Lyon. Fulham defender Antonee Robinson is being given a break after two offseason surgical procedures, whereas Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is coping with a toe harm.

Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams, Venezia‘s Gianluca Busio, PSV Eindhoven defender Sergiño Dest, Wolfsburg’s Kevin Paredes and Juventus midfielder Timothy Weah can even miss the 2 matches resulting from accidents.

“September is at all times a tough window,” mentioned Varas. “You might have gamers coming off worldwide tournaments after which straight into preseasons, gamers who’re attempting to determine themselves and their locations at golf equipment, and you’ve got a whole lot of motion within the switch window. So it’s a must to take a look at the entire image and what’s going to be greatest long run.”

Among the many uncapped gamers are FC Barcelona II goalkeeper Diego Kochen and Normal Liege defender Marlon Fossey.

“Marlon we’ve not seen since 2019. He hasn’t been within the group for a very long time, however I believe it is an awesome instance that even when you have not been in for some time, what you do together with your membership issues,” Varas mentioned. “We’re at all times watching a extremely massive pool of gamers. Proper now, it is an awesome alternative for your complete proper again pool.

“Sadly with Sergiño Dest out, who we miss dearly, it is opened up the chance for us to check different guys. He is carried out an awesome job with Normal Liege, performing very well. We have been monitoring him, and we wish to give him a chance.

“Diego will see his first time with the senior nationwide staff. He is a younger participant enjoying for Barcelona B that we see as a excessive potential participant. This is a chance for him to come back in and never solely compete with the senior staff, but in addition get an incredible expertise in order that we are able to maintain constructing for our future.”

The U.S. holds an all-time file of 17-11-12 towards Canada, with the latest outcome being within the quarterfinals of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, through which the USMNT prevailed 3-2 in a penalty shootout after additional time completed 2-2.

The matchup with Canada may have some added spice given the truth that U.S. Soccer handed on hiring Marsch when Berhalter’s contract was renewed in 2023 and after a number of the feedback from Marsch following the Individuals’ Copa exit through which he mentioned the staff “lacked self-discipline.”

The USMNT has confronted New Zealand thrice in its historical past, going 2-0-1 in these matches. The final encounter was a 1-1 draw again in 2016.

FULL USMNT ROSTER:

GOALKEEPERS (4): Ethan Horvath (Cardiff Metropolis/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 (Normal Liege/BEL; 0/0), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo/ITA; 3/0), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse, 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 Metropolis/ENG; 25/5), Haji Wright (Coventry Metropolis/ENG; 11/4)