The United States men’s national team’s roster for next month’s friendlies against Mexico and Uruguay consists of many familiar faces and a few up-and-comers from the U.S. U-23 program.
U.S. head coach Gregg Berhalter announced his roster on Wednesday for the Sept. 7 game against Mexico at MetLife Stadium and the Sept. 10 clash against Uruguay in St. Louis and said his selections are a product of trying to establish a core group in addition to many conversations with U-23 coach Jason Kreis, whose program is attempting to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Christian Pulisic, who recorded his first Premier League assist for Chelsea against Norwich last weekend, joins 14 other players who were on the U.S.’ runner-up squad from the Concacaf Gold Cup.
Pulisic is one of eight European-based players named to Berhalter’s roster. John Anthony Brooks has played every minute of every game for VFL Wolsburg this season in defense and makes his return to the team, as does goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who is playing in his first season on European soil, and his Fortuna Dusseldorf teammate Alfredo Morales, who scored last weekend against Bayer Leverkusen.
Stars from the summer’s U-20 World Cup include Ajax defender Sergiño Dest and FC Dallas midfielder Paxton Pomykal. Werder Bremen forward Josh Sargent, who was widely-regarded as a Gold Cup snub after not playing in the U-20 World Cup, is back in the fold as well.
The remainder of the team contains 17 MLS-based players, including Columbus Crew SC’s Gyasi Zardes, whose four international goals in 2019 tie him with Pulisic for top scorer on the senior team this year.
In addition, Tyler Adams, Matt Miazga, Tim Weah, and DeAndre Yedlin were not available for selection due to injury.
U.S. MNT roster by position (Club; Caps/Goals):
GOALKEEPERS (4): Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas; 0/0), Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC; 60/0), Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 8/0), Zack Steffen (Fortuna Düsseldorf/GER; 15/0)
DEFENDERS (9): John Brooks (Wolfsburg/GER; 37/3), Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas; 6/0), Sergiño Dest (Ajax/NED; 0/0), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes; 7/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 11/2), Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact/CAN; 8/0),) Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 35/1), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United FC; 0/0), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC; 10/2)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 9/2), Weston McKennie (Schalke/GER; 14/3), Alfredo Morales (Fortuna Düsseldorf/GER; 13/0), Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas; 0/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 15/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 19/0), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; 1/0)
FORWARDS (6): Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake; 3/0), Tyler Boyd (Besiktas/TUR; 5/2), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; 33/5), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 31/13), Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen/GER; 7/2), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC; 51/10)