McKennie Returns, Injured Pulisic and Reyna Omitted from USMNT Roster for October World Cup Qualifiers

Sargent, Pefok, Horvath and Konrad Left Out. Weah, Musah, Hoppe, Richards, Zardes, Arriola, Busio, Moore and De La Torre Return to Squad

Weston McKennie is back with the USMNT after being sent home from the last World Cup qualifiers (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

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USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter released his 27-player roster on Wednesday morning for the team’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Jamaica, Panama and Costa Rica. 

Weston McKennie returns to the team after being sent home during the last camp for violating team policy. Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic (ankle) and Gio Reyna (hamstring), who have yet to play for their clubs since getting hurt during the last round of qualifiers, have not been called in this time. Berhalter said it was possible but unlikely that Pulisic and Reyna could be summoned later in camp if they’re deemed fit.

Josh Sargent, Jordan Pefok, Ethan Horvath and Konrad de la Fuente are some of the notable omissions from the squad. All of the players mentioned as omissions in this piece are healthy, I’m told, and their absence is a coach’s decision.

Here’s the roster:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Sean Johnson (New York City; 9/0), Zack Steffen (Manchester City/ENG; 23/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 10/0)

My thoughts: The only surprise here is that Horvath has been omitted and Johnson called up instead. Berhalter said that Panama being on the UK’s red list for Covid did have an impact on Horvath not being selected—the USMNT is not planning on taking UK-based players Steffen, Ream and Antonee Robinson to Panama—but he added that Horvath hasn’t been getting playing time with his club and he wants him to spend time with new club head coach Steve Cooper during the window. Turner would be expected to start at this point, but it’s worth someone asking Berhalter if Turner is the No. 1 since Steffen is healthy and available to play again. Turner was solid for the U.S. in the last three qualifiers but hasn’t been as sharp as usual in some recent MLS games.

Update: Berhalter was asked about his goalkeeper depth chart and did not say who is his No. 1 right now.

DEFENDERS (10): George Bello (Atlanta United; 4/0), John Brooks (Wolfsburg/GER; 45/3), Sergiño Dest (Barcelona/ESP; 13/1), Mark McKenzie (Genk/BEL; 7/0), Shaq Moore (Tenerife/ESP; 11/1), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 46/1), Chris Richards (Hoffenheim/GER; 3/0), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 15/1), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 12/2), DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray/TUR; 67/0)

My thoughts: Not many people thought Miles Robinson would become the rock of the back line this year, but that’s exactly what has happened, as he was one of only three U.S. players to play every minute of the three qualifiers last month (along with Turner and Tyler Adams). Is John Brooks a starter at this point after two rough outings last month? We’ll see. Richards is back playing well at Hoffenheim and deserves a recall. And will Dest play at right back or left back (or maybe both)? With three games being played, expect most if not all of these guys to get playing time. 

Notable omissions: Walker Zimmerman, Matt Miazga, Joe Scally.

MIDFIELDERS (8): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 40/2), Tyler Adams (Leipzig/GER; 17/1), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 6/0), Luca de la Torre (Heracles/NED: 3/0), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 32/8), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 25/7), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ESP; 6/0), Cristián Roldán (Seattle Sounders; 28/0)

My thoughts: Based purely on the soccer side, Adams and McKennie would figure to be A-list starters in the central midfield. Lletget and Acosta will contend for starting spots as well. How Berhalter uses Busio, De La Torre, Musah and Roldán will be intriguing. I’m also curious to see if McKennie issues a public statement or does any interviews addressing what happened from his perspective in the last round of qualifiers. He’s typically one of the first people U.S. Soccer puts out there for press conferences and one of the most-requested players for postgame interviews.

Notable omissions: James Sands. The 21-year-old defender/midfielder started for the U.S. at Honduras and struggled, but he had a promising Gold Cup overall.

FORWARDS (6): Brenden Aaronson (Salzburg/AUT; 10/5), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 8/0), Matthew Hoppe (Mallorca/ESP; 5/1), Ricardo Pepi (Dallas; 1/1), Tim Weah (Lille/FRA; 13/1), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew; 62/14)

My thoughts: Not having two top players in Pulisic and Reyna is going to be a challenge, obviously. But Aaronson and Pepi had very good performances in the last qualifiers and figure to continue getting opportunities. Weah is healthy again and has been in good form for Lille. Zardes has Berhalter’s trust. And will Hoppe be seen as a winger (as he was used during the Gold Cup) or be used centrally?

Notable omissions: Sargent, Pefok, Konrad. If you’re wondering how many more chances Sargent is going to get to start for the USMNT, here’s your answer for now. Konrad hasn’t been getting as much time for Marseille lately. And while Pefok didn’t produce much for the U.S. in the most recent qualifiers, he has scored in his last three games for Young Boys, including a game-winner against Manchester United in Champions League.

Update: Berhalter used the word “vertical” a lot in describing his preferences for these three games. He wants attackers who can get behind opposing back lines with their speed.

What are your thoughts on the roster? You can post them in a comment below, and I’ll chime in as well.

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