Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna have rejoined the U.S. national team following their recoveries from injuries, bolstering Coach Mauricio Pochettino’s lineup with key players just in time for significant matches. For the first time since Pochettino’s appointment last fall, he has almost a full-strength squad available.
Pochettino has selected these pivotal midfielders, alongside defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, for the 23-man lineup ahead of the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League semifinal against Panama, scheduled to take place on March 20 in Inglewood, California. The three-time consecutive champions will face either Mexico or Canada post-semi-finals, in either a final match or a third-place face-off three days later.
Adams and Reyna have not played for the national team since last summer’s Copa America, following which Pochettino stepped in to replace former coach Gregg Berhalter after an unexpected first-round exit. Adams had been recovering from back surgery and didn’t return to his club, Bournemouth, until late October.
Pochettino expressed admiration for Adams, noting, “He’s a player that we wanted to sign at Chelsea,” referencing his prior coaching stint. “Of course, he’s an important player.” Meanwhile, Reyna, hampered by a groin injury, has managed only a handful of starts for Borussia Dortmund this season.
Pochettino remarked on Reyna’s potential, insisting, “He needs to improve and of course he can do better. We need to push him… We want to win this competition, and I think he can help.” The manager was keen on assessing Reyna’s readiness now, given that alongside Juventus teammates Weston McKennie and Tim Weah, Reyna will be unavailable for June’s matches due to FIFA prioritizing the Club World Cup.
Carter-Vickers, another important player, was previously delayed by a toe injury. The roster also sees the addition of midfielder Diego Luna and forwards Patrick Agyemang and Josh Sargent, selections made after the trio was left out of the November quarterfinals against Jamaica. Luna was preferred over Brenden Aaronson.
Pochettino cited strategic balancing as a factor in roster decisions: “It’s about numbers,” he said. “At times it’s not only performance, then the balance.” Josh Sargent, who skipped November’s games due to a groin issue, is back with a strong form, scoring eight goals across his last eight matches for Norwich, playing in England’s second division.
Christian Pulisic, another key figure, has scored 14 goals in the season for AC Milan. However, notable absentees include Sergiño Dest, Malik Tillman, and forwards Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright, all dealing with injuries or just regaining fitness.
Aside from Aaronson, others missing from November’s roster are goalkeeper Diego Kochen, defender Miles Robinson, midfielders Gianluca Busio and Aiden Morris, and forwards Cade Cowell and Brandon Vazquez. Major League Soccer presence is represented by Agyemang, Luna, Tim Ream, Patrick Schulte, Zack Steffen, and Brian White, all of whom attended the January training camp not aligned with FIFA’s international dates.
The announced squad includes:
**Goalkeepers**: Patrick Schulte (Columbus), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)
**Defenders**: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Glasgow Celtic), Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Joe Scally (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Glasgow Celtic)
**Midfielders**: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Diego Luna (Salt Lake), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon)
**Forwards**: Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Josh Sargent (Norwich), Tim Weah (Juventus), Brian White (Vancouver)
