USMNT sets 27-man roster for final World Cup Qualifiers, including vs. Mexico
The U.S. men's national team has set its final 27-man roster as it vies for a spot in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, announcing the moves live Thursday on ESPN's SportsCenter.
The U.S. has three CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers remaining: at rival Mexico on March 24 at the famed Estadio Azteca in Mexico City (9 p.m., Paramount+); a home finale against Panama on March 27 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando; and its final qualifier at Costa Rica on March 30.
The USMNT is in second place (6-2-3, 21 points), behind unbeaten Canada (7-0-4, 25 points) and ahead of Mexico, but only on a goal differential tiebreaker (+9).
U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter called up 19 players from its qualifiers in January and February. Defender Sergiño Dest was among them, though he's questionable after suffering a hamstring injury on Thursday while playing for Barcelona in the UEFA Europa League.
On SportsCenter, Berhalter said of Dest, "it doesn't look good, but we'll get the definitive results tomorrow,"
New to this cycle's World Cup Qualifying camp is New York Red Bulls center back Aaron Long, who has not played since March 2021 due to a season-ending Achilles injury. Center back Erik Palmer-Brown of ES Troyes in France is also new to 2022 qualifying.
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In midfield, to replace talisman Weston McKennie, who fractured his left foot in February while playing with Italian club team Juventus, Berhalter tapped Venezia's Gianluca Busio to join the midfield. Busio was originally called up to the squad in January, but was scratched last-minute because he tested positive for COVID-19.
Despite the loss of McKennie, the U.S. has welcomed back attacking midfielder Gio Reyna, who suffered a hamstring injury in its first qualifier in September against El Salvador. A thigh injury has kept Reyna from international duty ever since.
A shakeup in attack brings BSC Young Boys center forward Jordan Pefok back into the squad. He takes the place of Columbus Crew's Gyasi Zardes. Pefok, who has not been called up since the first qualifying round in September, leads Switzerland's Super League with 17 goals, scoring six goals in his last seven matches.
Pefok, now the expected starter, will be a shot in the arm for the U.S. After Ricard Pepi's three goals in the September and October qualifiers, a U.S. center forward has not scored in qualifying.
The U.S. has beaten Mexico in a qualifier once at the Azteca, in August 2012. A result there will put it in a fortunate position going into Orlando, given it has won all four of its matches at Exploria Stadium.
Below is the full roster.
Full USMNT squad list
Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest/England), Sean Johnson (New York City FC), Zack Steffen (Manchester City/England)
Defender: Reggie Cannon (Boavista FC/Portugal), Sergiño Dest (FC Barcelona/Spain; questionable), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Erik Palmer-Brown (ES Troyes AC/France), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/England), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United FC), James Sands (Rangers FC/Scotland), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
Midfielders: Kellyn Acosta (Los Angeles FC), Tyler Adams (Red Bull Leipzig/Germany), Gianluca Busio (Venezia FC/Italy), Luca de la Torre (Heracles Almelo/Netherlands), Yunus Musah (Valencia CF/Spain), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC)
Forwards: Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg/Austria), Paul Arriola (FC Dallas), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Jordan Pefok (BSC Young Boys/Switzerland), Ricardo Pepi (FC Augsburg/Germany), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea FC/England), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/ Germany), Tim Weah (LOSC Lille/France)
For stories about Nashville SC or Soccer in Tennessee, contact Drake Hills at DHills@gannett.com. Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake. Connect with Drake on Instagram at @drakehillssoccer and on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: USMNT roster for March CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers: Full list
