Ahead of friendlies versus Uzbekistan on Sept. 9 and Oman on Sept. 12, Gregg Berhalter has named his first U.S. men's national team roster since returning as head coach following the conclusion of the Gold Cup. Not needing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico, these friendlies will be a warmup for when the United States return to Nations League play in November.
Berhalter hasn't coached the team since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar following the expiration of his contract and an investigation into a domestic incident in his past which led to both Anthony Hudson and B.J. Callaghan coaching the side to the Nations League title and during the Gold Cup. But while this may be Berhalter's first roster since the World Cup, plenty of familiar faces will be included.
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Reyna is notably absent but he has yet to appear for Dortmund this season after suffering a leg fracture during the summer. Berhalter said that he still hasn't talked to Reyna during the summer and with him not in the squad, those fences will need to wait to be mended. Given Reyna's talent, he will need to eventually get back into the fold but it's unknown how long it will take for that.
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Lionel Messi's Inter Miami will take a large hit during the window with Drake Callender and Benjamin Cremaschi's inclusion but with Zack Steffen injured, Callender was the next man up for the squad. Other uncapped players included are Keven Paredes and former Danish youth international Kristoffer Lund. Tanner Tessman has also been added to the squad due to Johnny Cardoso picking up an ankle injury following his strong season with Venezia so far.
Here's the roster:
Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): Drake Callender (Inter Miami; 0/0), Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 8/0), Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 32/0)
DEFENDERS (9): Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 26/2), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo/ITA; 0/0), Mark McKenzie (Genk/BEL; 11/0), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg/GER; 0/0), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 51/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 10/1), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 36/2), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 25/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 6/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Ben Cremaschi (Inter Miami; 0/0), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo/ESP; 16/0), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 44/11), Yunus Musah (AC Milan/ITA; 27/0), Tanner Tessman (Venezia/ITA; 1/0), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 4/0)
FORWARDS (6): Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin/GER; 32/7), Folarin Balogun (Arsenal/ENG; 2/1), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; 8/1), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 16/7), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 60/25), Tim Weah (Juventus/ITA; 31/4)
Here's what to know:
What's to gain?
In a murky window that doesn't include matches against highly competitive nations, it can be easy to look ahead to a more competitive slate in October versus Germany and Ghana, but this is a chance for players to show why they should be included. In midfield, without Tyler Adams and with McKennie in poor form, there's a chance for others to take steps forward to become contributors under Berhalter. Mark McKenzie's return is also a big story after he missed out on Nations League and the Gold Cup. With the potential of a back three coming in fixtures moving forward, McKenzie's club experience can go a long way if it is the preferred formation.
All eyes on Balogun
After sealing a move to Monaco, expectations couldn't be higher for Balogun. Expected to be involved every time he takes the pitch with the national team, this is another window for him to continue building chemistry with Pulisic and Weah. It has been a while since the top attackers for the national team were all playing at such prestigious clubs and if the trio are able to reach the lofty expectations being set for them, it will raise the potential of the team into the stratosphere.
