Pulisic Returns, Scally Debuts, Dest (Injured) and Brooks Left Off USMNT Roster for November World Cup Qualifiers
USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter released his 25-player roster on Thursday for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Mexico and Jamaica. Christian Pulisic returns to the team after missing last month’s games with an ankle injury, while 18-year-old left back Joe Scally earns his first call-up after a promising stretch at Gladbach and forward Jesús Ferreira, 20, gets his first call for World Cup qualifiers.
Missing from the roster are fullback Sergiño Dest, who has been dealing with back issues at Barcelona; Gio Reyna, who has yet to return to playing after injuring a hamstring in September; John Brooks, who has gone from being the U.S.’s most respected center back to now being left off the squad; and Gyasi Zardes (injured).
Here’s the roster:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Sean Johnson (New York City; 9/0), Zack Steffen (Manchester City/ENG; 24/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 12/0)
My Thoughts: Who starts against Mexico? Berhalter gave Steffen his first Octagonal start in six qualifiers in the last game against Costa Rica, but Turner has been solid in the five games he has started.
Notable Omission: Johnson appears to have earned the No. 3 spot for now ahead of Ethan Horvath, who made a huge penalty save in the Nations League final against Mexico to preserve the U.S. victory.
DEFENDERS (9): Reggie Cannon (Boavista/POR; 22/1), Mark McKenzie (Genk/BEL; 8/0), Chris Richards (Hoffenheim/GER; 4/0), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 17/1), Miles Robinson (Atlanta; 14/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 0/0), Sam Vines (Royal Antwerp/BEL; 8/1), DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray/TUR; 69/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville; 20/2)
My Thoughts: With Dest out, the right back battle figures to be between Cannon (who makes his WCQ debut) and Yedlin. Miles Robinson figures to be a lock to start at one center back spot, but the news here is Brooks’s omission.
Notable Omissions: Brooks, Tim Ream, George Bello, Shaq Moore, James Sands, Matt Miazga.
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MIDFIELDERS (7): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 42/2), Tyler Adams (Leipzig/GER; 20/1), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 7/0), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 33/8), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 27/7), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ESP; 9/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 29/0)
My Thoughts: With only two games this qualifying window, Berhalter should be able to play his best lineup in both matches. In the midfield, that trio appears to be Adams, McKennie and Musah.
Notable Omissions: Luca de la Torre.
FORWARDS (6): Brenden Aaronson (Salzburg/AUT; 13/5), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 41/8), Jesús Ferreira (Dallas; 2/2), Ricardo Pepi (Dallas; 4/3), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 40/16), Tim Weah (Lille/FRA; 16/1)
My Thoughts: Pepi figures to lead the line with Aaronson taking one winger spot. But will Pulisic be fit enough to start in the other winger spot after just returning to the field post-injury this week? If not, will Berhalter go with Arriola or Weah on that wing? With Dest out, the U.S. may not need Arriola to provide as much defensive cover for the right back position.
Notable Omissions: Jordan Pefok, Josh Sargent, Daryl Dike, Matthew Hoppe, Konrad De La Fuente.
What are your thoughts on the roster? Share them in the comments below!
Don't understand why LDLT isn't getting a longer look. Has been good in Holland and in his limited USMNT looks. Yellow cards / injuries versus Mexico and suddenly you could have Lleget/Busio and Acosta playing in Jamaica with limited bench depth behind them?
No LDLT is crazy. Dude breaks lines and dribbles around and through players. Just dumb. Roldan? Lleget? Arriola? No creativity. Very one dimensional.