Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna highlight the USMNT roster for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League finals, marking their first national team camp under coach Mauricio Pochettino. The squad features 23 players, including the 2022 World Cup veterans, as they prepare to face Panama in a crucial semifinal match next Thursday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Prominent USMNT figures such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tim Weah join Adams and Reyna, both of whom missed Pochettino’s initial camps due to injuries. The stakes are high, with the winner of the semifinal advancing to the March 23 final against either Canada or Mexico. The U.S. aims to secure its fourth consecutive Nations League title, having triumphed in 2021, 2023, and last year.
Pochettino expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament, stating, “This is a massive opportunity to win a trophy, and that is our clear objective. We must continue to show our quality, our bravery, and our commitment to each other. We have an important moment to represent our country and our supporters, and we are very excited for this opportunity.”
The complete roster includes a mix of experienced players and newcomers, showcasing a blend of talent across various leagues:
Goalkeepers: Patrick Schulte, Columbus Crew (MLS); Zack Steffen, Colorado Rapids (MLS); Matt Turner, Crystal Palace (England)
Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Celtic (Scotland); Marlon Fossey, Standard Liege (Belgium); Mark McKenzie, Toulouse (France); Tim Ream, Charlotte FC (MLS); Chris Richards, Crystal Palace; Antonee “Jedi” Robinson, Fulham (England); Miles Robinson, Cincinnati (MLS); Joe Scally, Borussia Mönchengladbach (Germany); Auston Trusty, Celtic
Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Bournemouth (England); Johnny Cardoso, Real Betis (Spain); Diego Luna, Real Salt Lake (MLS); Weston McKennie, Juventus (Italy); Gio Reyna, Borussia Dortmund (Germany); Tanner Tessmann, Lyon (France);
Forwards: Patrick Agyemang, Charlotte (MLS); Yunus Musah, AC Milan (Italy); Christian Pulisic, AC Milan; Josh Sargent, Norwich City (England); Timothy Weah, Juventus; Brian White, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS)
Reyna gets the call despite his lack of club minutes
Adams, who netted the decisive goal in last year’s championship against Mexico, is a key figure in this lineup after overcoming back surgery. As the captain during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, he has demonstrated exceptional form with Premier League club Bournemouth, which is aiming for a strong finish this season.
Pochettino praised Adams, stating, “It’s great to have him. In the last months, he was performing really, really well with his team, Bournemouth. It’s a great opportunity for us to get to know him.”
On the other hand, Reyna’s selection was not guaranteed. The 22-year-old has seen limited action at Borussia Dortmund following a groin injury that sidelined him for a significant period. With only 541 minutes of play this season and being an unused substitute in the latest Bundesliga match, his inclusion raises questions.
However, Reyna is recognized as one of the most gifted attackers in the U.S. squad, having scored in all previous Nations League editions and being named the tournament’s best player last year.
Pochettino acknowledged Reyna’s club struggles but emphasized his potential impact, saying, “It’s true that maybe he’s not playing too much, but I think for us, he’s a great player. We want to win this competition, and he can help. That is why he’s with us. But at the same time, I think he can do better.”
Furthermore, Reyna’s situation is complicated by Dortmund’s participation in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which could limit his availability for the Concacaf Gold Cup if he remains with the German club.
Pochettino remarked, “If not, it’s going to be difficult to see him. It’s important to create this relationship for the future.”
Poch rewards Carter-Vickers, Trusty and January campers
Cameron Carter-Vickers, who has recently recovered from injury, is another notable call-up, participating in his first camp under Pochettino. The seasoned defender has contributed significantly to Celtic’s success in the Champions League, where he nearly helped his team upset Bayern Munich.
Additionally, Pochettino has rewarded six players from his January camp, including Diego Luna and Brian White, who played pivotal roles in the victory against Costa Rica, and Patrick Agyemang, who scored in his debut against Venezuela.
With only three training sessions before the March 20 match against Panama, Pochettino emphasized the importance of continuity within the squad. “It’s important for us to have players that we already know and who have been working with us,” he stated.
No room for Zendejas, Brenden Aaronson or Miles Robinson
Brenden Aaronson, a regular for the U.S. team over the past four years, found himself among those omitted from the roster. Joining him are Miles Robinson and Alex Zendejas, who has been excelling in Liga MX with Club America.
Despite their strong cases for inclusion, the decision ultimately came down to numbers. Several key players, including Folarin Balogun, Sergiño Dest, Ricardo Pepi, and Malik Tillman, are unavailable due to injuries or recent returns from injury.
With only 23 spots available under Concacaf regulations, Europe-based players Gianluca Busio, Aidan Morris, and Paxten Aaronson, Brenden’s younger brother, also missed the cut.
Pochettino expressed his disappointment, saying, “We’re disappointed because we cannot call all of them. The difficulty always arises when you have too many players to choose from.”
He added, “It’s really painful because sometimes it’s not only about performance; it’s about balance. We selected these 23 players because we believe they can create a strong balance and compete effectively to win.”
