Three U.S. men’s national team stars, Tim Weah, Folarin Balogun, and Johnny Cardoso, will miss the initial matches under coach Mauricio Pochettino due to injuries. This absence raises questions about the team’s strategy as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
In response to these setbacks, Brandon Vazquez, Alex Zendejas, and Tanner Tessmann have been called up to the roster, showcasing the depth of talent available for the national team.
Weah, who plays for Juventus, has been sidelined since September 21 due to an ankle injury, limiting his contributions to the squad.
Balogun recently made headlines by scoring the decisive goal in Monaco’s 2-1 victory against Rennes in Ligue 1. However, he exited the match in the 64th minute due to a shoulder injury, leaving fans concerned about his fitness.
Cardoso, representing Real Betis, had to leave the Europa Conference League match against Legia Warsaw in the 66th minute, further depleting the team’s options ahead of the upcoming games.
The U.S. men’s national team is set to compete in exhibition matches against Panama on Saturday in Austin, Texas, followed by a clash with Mexico three days later in Guadalajara, making these games pivotal for the squad’s development.
